Maduro says he has the support of the armed forces ahead of presidential elections

Caracas, July 21 (EFE) – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said Sunday during an election campaign in the west of the country that he has the support of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and its members. He faces a presidential election next Sunday, in which he is seeking re-election.

“I have the experience, I am prepared, I have this beautiful and brave people, I have the support of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces and the army, I have the support of the Civilian Military Police Union, I am Nicolás Maduro Moros,” he said in Barinas state. “I will win the presidential election next Sunday, July 28.”

According to Article 328 of the Constitution, the Armed Forces “constitute an essentially professional institution, free from political struggle”; it indicates that, in the performance of its duties, it is exclusively at the service of the nation and not at the service of any person or political party in any way.

Chavez, who has been in power since 2013, also reiterated his call for his followers to vote for him in the election — in which he will compete against nine candidates, including the main opposition coalition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia — with the goal of winning “the greatest victory in Venezuela’s electoral history.”

Maduro said on Saturday during an event in Bolivar state (south of the country on the border with Brazil) that he was the first of “many Chavista presidents” that – as he predicted – the Caribbean country would have during the 21st century.

The president has visited more than a hundred cities as part of the election campaign that officially began on July 4 and ends next Thursday, when Chavismo will, as he announced on Saturday, “take control” of Caracas within 12 continuous hours.

Recently, González Urrutia promised to modernize the FANB to face “new strategic military scenarios looming on the national and global levels,” if he wins the presidential election.

The former ambassador said that the modern military establishment “will be able to provide guarantees of internal stability, deterrence, persuasion, respect for the rule of law, security and the defense of our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”