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Nicolás Maduro to be sworn in as president after audit vote deal Security breach as Nicolás Maduro sworn in as Venezuelan president
(about 3 hours later)
Hugo Chavez's successor, Nicolás Maduro, will be inaugurated as president of Venezuela on Friday as post-election tensions began to calm thanks to officials' promise to audit the vote that put him in power. Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was pushed from the microphone as he delivered his inaugural address on Friday, shocking a nation that is slowly returning to normal after a week of protests.
The disputed outcome of last Sunday's poll has prompted violent protests this week and highlighted the domestic and regional faultlines that Maduro will have to deal with during his six-year term. An onlooker, who said his name was Henry, rushed to the podium, interrupting the president's speech, before he was bundled away by security guards.
Red-shirted supporters have begun gathering in the streets to celebrate the swearing-in of the former bus driver at the national assembly later on Friday. Latin American and Chinese leaders are also flying in to demonstrate their solidarity. Maduro – the chosen successor of Hugo Chávez – acknowledged the breach of security, saying "He could have shot me here" before continuing with his address.
But the opposition have threatened to protest against the event and the US, Panama and Paraguay have so far declined to recognise the result of the closely fought presidential poll. The dramatic incident came as post-election tensions began to calm thanks to a promise by officials to audit the vote that put him in power.
The disputed outcome of Sunday's poll prompted violent clashes this week and highlighted the domestic and regional fault-lines that Maduro will have to deal with during his six-year term.
Before the inauguration, red-shirted supporters marched through the streets, shouting and blowing trumpets, to celebrate the swearing in of the former bus driver at the national assembly later today. Latin American leaders also flew in to demonstrate their solidarity.
But the opposition boycotted the event and the US, Panama and Paraguay have so far declined to recognise the result of last week's closely fought presidential poll.
That may change after a U-turn by the National Electoral Council, which said on Thursday that it would expand an audit of the vote. The council – which is skewed towards the ruling coalition – had said the outcome was "irreversible".That may change after a U-turn by the National Electoral Council, which said on Thursday that it would expand an audit of the vote. The council – which is skewed towards the ruling coalition – had said the outcome was "irreversible".
After Sunday's poll, Maduro was declared winner by 262,000 votes out of 14.9m cast.After Sunday's poll, Maduro was declared winner by 262,000 votes out of 14.9m cast.
Henrique Capriles, the opposition candidate, demanded a recount and called on supporters to engage in peaceful protests until this was permitted. Many turned violent, resulting in least eight deaths and 61 injuries.Henrique Capriles, the opposition candidate, demanded a recount and called on supporters to engage in peaceful protests until this was permitted. Many turned violent, resulting in least eight deaths and 61 injuries.
The ruling party have gone back and forth on the issue: Maduro originally agreed, then the supreme court and the council – both packed with ruling party figures – said a recount was unnecessary.The ruling party have gone back and forth on the issue: Maduro originally agreed, then the supreme court and the council – both packed with ruling party figures – said a recount was unnecessary.
In the latest compromise the council's president, Tibisay Lucena, said the expanded audit was not a recount but would cover the 46% of ballot boxes that were not audited on election day. A two-thirds sample of them will be checked over the next month.In the latest compromise the council's president, Tibisay Lucena, said the expanded audit was not a recount but would cover the 46% of ballot boxes that were not audited on election day. A two-thirds sample of them will be checked over the next month.
Capriles said he was satisfied. "We are where we want to be," he declared. "I think I will have the universe of voters needed to get where I want to be."Capriles said he was satisfied. "We are where we want to be," he declared. "I think I will have the universe of voters needed to get where I want to be."
It is unclear what prompted the latest shift. There has been speculation that the military may have insisted on a compromise. Pressure from neighbouring countries is also likely to be a factor.It is unclear what prompted the latest shift. There has been speculation that the military may have insisted on a compromise. Pressure from neighbouring countries is also likely to be a factor.
South American leaders from the UNASUR regional grouping held crisis talks in Lima on Thursday to discuss the issue, which ended with praise for the audit decision and a call for all parties to respect the results.South American leaders from the UNASUR regional grouping held crisis talks in Lima on Thursday to discuss the issue, which ended with praise for the audit decision and a call for all parties to respect the results.
Maduro, in a Twitter message, proclaimed the meeting a "great success".Maduro, in a Twitter message, proclaimed the meeting a "great success".
"Complete support for the people and democracy of Venezuela," Maduro continued. "Thank you, South America! I await you in Caracas.""Complete support for the people and democracy of Venezuela," Maduro continued. "Thank you, South America! I await you in Caracas."
The Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff; the Argentinian president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and senior representatives from other neighbours, as well as China and Iran will demonstrate their support by attending the inauguration ceremony. The Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff; the Argentinian president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and senior representatives from other neighbours, as well as China and Iran demonstrated their support by attending the inauguration ceremony.
It is unclear whether the US will send a representative. The US secretary of state, John Kerry, had earlier joined calls for a recount and said he had yet to decide whether to recognise Maduro. The UK government issued a statement for the occasion, noting that it "looks forward to working with the government and people of Venezuela to strengthen our relationship and deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest".
Analysts said the US – which is the main buyer of Venezuela's oil – will eventually have to work with Maduro.Analysts said the US – which is the main buyer of Venezuela's oil – will eventually have to work with Maduro.
"I think the practical reality is that given the position of other governments it will be very hard for the US not to deal with the Maduro government," said Michael Shifter of Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based thinktank."I think the practical reality is that given the position of other governments it will be very hard for the US not to deal with the Maduro government," said Michael Shifter of Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based thinktank.
The compromise may end the war of decibels that has gripped Venezuela for the past week. Every night at 8pm opposition supporters have marked their disaffection with a cacerolazo – a traditional form of protest in which people go on to the streets or lean out of windows to bang pots and pans. The ruling party have responded with cohetazo (fireworks). There were also many clashes. In Maturín, a city in eastern Venezuela, both camps suffered arson attacks on their party offices. Opposition supporters say they were attacked by a group led by the mayor as they marched on the electoral office to demand a recount.The compromise may end the war of decibels that has gripped Venezuela for the past week. Every night at 8pm opposition supporters have marked their disaffection with a cacerolazo – a traditional form of protest in which people go on to the streets or lean out of windows to bang pots and pans. The ruling party have responded with cohetazo (fireworks). There were also many clashes. In Maturín, a city in eastern Venezuela, both camps suffered arson attacks on their party offices. Opposition supporters say they were attacked by a group led by the mayor as they marched on the electoral office to demand a recount.
"We were asking that our votes be counted, and next thing I know molotov cocktails were thrown and the march was dispersed and then there was chaos", said Warner Jiménez, one demonstrator. He said at least one youth was killed."We were asking that our votes be counted, and next thing I know molotov cocktails were thrown and the march was dispersed and then there was chaos", said Warner Jiménez, one demonstrator. He said at least one youth was killed.
One photographer, Hector Segura, told the Guardian he had been shot four times with rubber bullets during a clash between student protesters and the national guard in Barquisimeto on Monday.One photographer, Hector Segura, told the Guardian he had been shot four times with rubber bullets during a clash between student protesters and the national guard in Barquisimeto on Monday.
"The troops lobbed tear gas and started shooting at us. I was hit in the back, leg and knee," he said."The troops lobbed tear gas and started shooting at us. I was hit in the back, leg and knee," he said.
Buildings linked to both parties have been burned down and both sides have accused the other of fomenting a coup.Buildings linked to both parties have been burned down and both sides have accused the other of fomenting a coup.
The unrest spilled into state affairs. Diosdado Cabello, president of the national assembly, stripped opposition legislators of their right to speak and preside over committees until they recognised Maduro's presidency. One opposition member needed 14 stitches after he was hit by a bottle during one session. Opposition members say they are the victims of a constitutional coup.The unrest spilled into state affairs. Diosdado Cabello, president of the national assembly, stripped opposition legislators of their right to speak and preside over committees until they recognised Maduro's presidency. One opposition member needed 14 stitches after he was hit by a bottle during one session. Opposition members say they are the victims of a constitutional coup.
Nicmer Evans, a politics professor at Venezuela's Central University, said both sides had to step back from the brink of a "soft coup".Nicmer Evans, a politics professor at Venezuela's Central University, said both sides had to step back from the brink of a "soft coup".
"The opposition is talking about a society that is divided in two halves – that is equivalent to calling for a civil war. Allowing that would be the gravest of mistakes ... The revolutionary movement also committed mistakes. It was an error for Maduro to accept a recount. It was an error to silence the opposition in the national assembly. This is a time to ask both bands to accept their mistakes with humility.""The opposition is talking about a society that is divided in two halves – that is equivalent to calling for a civil war. Allowing that would be the gravest of mistakes ... The revolutionary movement also committed mistakes. It was an error for Maduro to accept a recount. It was an error to silence the opposition in the national assembly. This is a time to ask both bands to accept their mistakes with humility."
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