Hello everyone, welcome to “News Gang of Five”. Today’s co-hosts are Tang Hao, Fu Yao, Qin Peng, Jin Shi, and myself. The five of us clash in viewpoints and offer diverse perspectives, taking you into the rich world of news. Feel free to subscribe and like our independent channel.
Today’s focus: Electoral turmoil in Venezuela! Maduro suspected of election fraud, public outrage! Such people are making a killing; Chinese Communist Party congratulates, implying something else; Beijing closely monitors protests in Venezuela, fearing the worst; 7.8 million people disappointed, Venezuela standing on the wrong side; “Removal of Xi” banner spotted in Hunan!
After the presidential election in Venezuela on July 28th, the “National Electoral Council” influenced by the Maduro government announced his victory with 51.2% of the vote, securing a third 6-year term. However, the opposition claims, based on exit polls, that Maduro suffered a crushing defeat; opposition candidate Guaidó announced that he received 70% of the votes, deeming himself the true winner.
Governments from Europe, America, and South America have raised concerns about electoral fraud by Maduro, urging for a transparent process to reflect the will of the Venezuelan people.
Venezuelan citizens have taken to the streets for several days demanding Maduro’s resignation. Several online videos show local military and police officers defecting to join the protesters.
Under domestic and international pressure, Maduro has singled out someone to spar with. Who? Not his political rival, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Earlier, Musk questioned election fraud in Venezuela; Maduro responded, calling Musk the new number one enemy, accusing him of trying to invade Venezuela with rockets and troops. Musk, do you want to fight? Come on, you pick the place.
These remarks have turned this international scandal into a farce, but they cannot shift the true focus of the international community, which is what is happening in Venezuela, the lessons it brings to the world, and how will the CCP in Zhongnanhai perceive it?
Q1, Fu Yao, why are the Venezuelan people so angry this time?
Q2, Jin Shi, what lessons has Maduro and his predecessor Chavez’s 25 years of socialist rule in Venezuela offered to the world? Because not only in Latin America, many countries have leftist figures advocating socialist policies.
Q3, Tang Hao, after the 2018 previous election in Venezuela, there was also internal turmoil. The opposition questioned electoral fraud and did not acknowledge the election results. Opposition representative Guaidó formed a transition government in 2019, declared himself president, and gained support from many European and American governments, but it ultimately failed. How do you anticipate this current situation developing, is there a possibility of Maduro’s regime being forced out?
Q4, Qin Peng, many countries have questioned the election results in Venezuela, but the CCP rushed to congratulate Maduro on his “reelection”; after protests erupted in Venezuela, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they “respect the choice of the Venezuelan people.” Why is the CCP playing both sides?
Q5, Jin Shi, by continuously standing on the opposite side of the international community in conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine, the conflict in Ethiopia, and the elections in Venezuela, what consequences could the CCP face?
Q6, China has also been in the news these days. In Xin Hua County, Loudi City, Hunan Province, people also hung protest banners on a pedestrian bridge, echoing the slogans once displayed by Peng Li on “Beijing Four Pass Bridge” in 2022, repeating the same message. “No privileges, we want democracy; no censorship, we want freedom; no lies, we want dignity; no Cultural Revolution, we want reform; no leaders, we want ballots; not slaves but citizens.”
Fu Yao, will the protests of the Venezuelan people be seen as a threat in Zhongnanhai? Concerned about a demonstration effect?
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