Ruling party leader: "Parachutists" landed on a right foot

Vice-president of ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello said on Tuesday that the opposition "is trying to highlight abstention as the major feature" of the gubernatorial election held on December 16.

According to Cabello, average turnout was recorded. He said that those who failed to cast their ballot did not care about the results and left the decision in other people's hands. He explained that although "more people should have participated," the legitimacy of the vote could not be denied.

Although the ruling party won the governor's offices in 20 states, Cabello said that the PSUV could have been better off not only in terms of winning more offices, but also in raising the number of votes.

Cabello, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly, stated that socialist proposals prevailed over those of capitalism. He referred to the ruling party candidates that were untimely nominated for governors. Such candidates were described as "parachutists" by the opposition. In this connection, Cabello stressed that "parachutists" landed on a right foot. He noted that people understood that "they were Chávez's candidates."  

Addressing pro-Chávez elected governors, the PSUV leader warned, "You must govern the way Chávez does (...) it takes great effort." Cabello dedicated the victory to Chávez.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera