On Sunday, Venezuelans will elect 24 governors, 285 national legislators and 260 members of the state legislative councils. On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and senior government officials met at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas to assess new terrorist plans that the transnational far-right is attempting to implement in connection with the upcoming elections.

Previously, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello had confirmed the capture of 38 mercenaries planning to sabotage the elections. Among them were 17 foreigners. President Maduro took the opportunity to highlight the strength of democracy in Venezuela, a country that has held 31 previous elections since the Bolivarian Revolution arrived 26 years ago. He also criticized the international media for systematically hiding the upcoming elections in the South American country.

“The Albanian mafia that rules Ecuador sent some of its mercenaries to plant bombs in Venezuela. They have been captured,” he said, linking the regional terrorist activities to the presence of Erik Prince, the founder of the private military group Blackwater.

The meeting, held in the Simon Bolivar Hall, was also attended by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, among other representatives of the security forces.

“This team guarantees the victory of peace and security. We must protect our people’s constitutional rights to peace, stability, and tranquility,” Maduro said, referring to the elections to be held on May 25.

During the Miraflores Palace meeting, Maduro ordered the strengthening of protections for the national electrical system to prevent attacks similar to those that occurred before and during July 28, 2024, when the U.S.-backed opposition managed to cut off electricity for several days.

The Bolivarian leader assured that his administration is prepared to confront any attempt at sabotage and guarantee the peace of the population. He also called on the justice system to punish those responsible for the previous sabotage attacks.

On May 25, millions of Venezuelans will head to the polls to elect 24 governors, 285 national deputies and 260 members of the state legislative councils across the country.

The Bolivarian leader revealed private conversations with Latin American leaders who suggested suspending the elections due to US economic sanctions. However, he categorically rejected this position.

“No one can take away the people’s right to participate, elect, and have their authorities,” Maduro affirmed, reiterating that Venezuela will continue to hold elections regardless of external pressure.

“Vote yes, violence no! Vote yes, bullets no!” the Venezuelan president said during an exhortation to the population to turn out en masse for Sunday’s elections.

“May 25th will be a day of peace, stability, happiness, and participation,” he said, emphasizing that the electoral process will proceed normally thanks to the coordination between popular forces, the military, and the police.