Machado asks for a new CNE to call elections in Venezuela

The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has defended the need to renew “as soon as possible” the National Electoral Council (CNE) so that it complies with the norms established in the Constitution and that it serves as a preliminary step for the calling of elections in the country.

“Of course, starting from a new National Electoral Council, which complies with what the Venezuelan Constitution clearly says, that they should not be people affiliated with any political party, political party, people who have conditions of honorability, credibility, that give us all confidence,” he declared during the Orchestra of the Americas awards gala held in Washington DC, according to the NTN24 network.

He also considers it necessary to “clean up the electoral registry” and allow millions of Venezuelans both inside and outside the country to register or update their data. Likewise, there must be “a process of continuous observation by institutions specializing in international electoral matters.”

Machado has also appealed to the “dismantling of the repressive structure” as something “fundamental” and has stressed that the priority objectives established by the United States Government have not yet been met.

As an example, he has given “the release of all political prisoners”, because he considers that there are still 500 detainees, as well as the dismantling of torture centers and the guarantee of freedom of expression.

She has also been questioned about her return to Venezuela, to which Machado has responded that “very soon I will return to Venezuela”, although without mentioning a specific date.

Machado has called for rallies this Sunday in more than 120 cities around the world in support of the political prisoners and persecuted people who exist in Venezuela. “There are still more than 500 civil and military political prisoners who are behind bars at this hour,” Machado said in a video posted on his social networks.

“They and their families need our voice, they need our strength and that is why we will raise our voice, this Sunday, May 3, so that the entire world hears the cry for freedom, for justice, for democracy, that we raise today from Venezuela,” he said.