In a communiqué from Fort Tiuna, in Caracas, the high command strongly rejected the violent actions promoted by this sector in several regions of the country on Monday, after the end of the July 28 presidential elections.
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) reiterated ‘its unyielding commitment to peace,’ and warned that it will firmly act, in perfect civic-military-police union, to preserve the internal order throughout the national territory, always within the framework of the Constitution and laws, and respect for human rights.
Padrino called on citizens not to fall into provocations or manipulations that encourage violence and intolerance.
The Venezuelan general in chief stated that what happened on Monday are expressions of hatred and irrationality that are part of ‘a preconceived plot by political groups that knew they were defeated.’
He also stressed that they are an ‘attempted media coup d’état supported by social networks and backed by US imperialism and its external and internal allies.’
The minister of Defense noted that unquestionably, ‘we are in the presence of fascism in its maximum expression’ and of an international structure that is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to discredit the extraordinary demonstration of civility from the Venezuelan people in the elections.
Among the terrorist acts, he mentioned sabotages on the headquarters of public agencies, including a hundred of electoral centers, offices of the National Electoral Council, private buildings, military and police units commands.
He also referred to the destruction of machines and electoral material, symbols of national identity such as the Coromoto Indian in Guanare, State of Portuguesa, and statues of Commander Hugo Chavez, among others.
Padrino stated that the false leaders and criminal organizations that call to follow this dark path are not right, they hide cowardly and ‘hire armed criminals and mercenaries trained abroad to perpetrate their macabre plans.’
Padrino pointed out that as a result of violence, so far 23 military and 25 police officers have been wounded and are receiving medical care, in addition to the death by gunshot wounds of First Sergeant José Antonio Torres Blanca in the state of Aragua.
There is no one who can defeat the moral strength of the FANB, he stated, and called for reflection and ‘to channel ourselves through the democratic and constitutional path’ in order to honor the people of Venezuela who expressed their will and are asking for peace talks and understanding.
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