Venezuelan VP: Victory in 20 states is a great gift for Chávez

Venezuela's Executive Vice-President Nicolás Maduro urged opposition leader Andrés Velásquez "not to make any stupid mistake" and asserted that back in the presidential election held in 1993 "he (Velásquez) did not have the guts to defend his victory, which he won through people's votes, over neoliberalism." Maduro's statements came in response to Velásquez decision to reject the victory of ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in Bolivar state, within the framework of the gubernatorial election held in Venezuela on Sunday. 

"The arrogance of the right-wing shall be faced with work," Maduro said, adding that the victory of pro-Chávez candidates in 20 states "has been a great gift for President Hugo Chávez. "People responded to the commander with great love."

The vice-president noted that Chávez's allies won the gubernatorial offices in five out of eight states that were ruled by opposition governors. "We must take this victory with humbleness and wisdom. We must see this victory under the premises of the plan for the homeland," he stated.

Maduro also explained that the Second Socialist Plan of the Nation 2013-2019 would take hold in each region of the country.