US warns Maduro of need for free elections, says 'we are watching'

US warns Maduro of need for free elections, says ‘we are watching’

Venezuelans will go to the polls in a presidential election in which Maduro is seeking a third term against opposition candidate Edmundo González.

“We support peaceful elections,” White House spokesman John Kirby said.at a regular briefing in Washington. “Any political repression and violence is unacceptable.”

Asked whether Maduro had the ability to rig the election results, Kirby said it was difficult to know how the situation would play out, but the United States wanted to “make clear to Mr. Maduro that we are watching.”

The opposition and some independent observers have questioned whether the vote will be fair, saying that the decisions of the electoral authorities and the arrest of some opposition campaign staff are intended to create obstacles.

Asked if there is concern about an outbreak of violence if the opposition wins, Kirby said: “If we were not concerned about that possibility, I would not have mentioned it in the initial statement.”

“Regardless of who wins, we encourage both candidates to commit to a peaceful outcome,” Kirby said.