Grapevine

Venezuela presidential candidates hold final rallies ahead of election

As Venezuela prepares to elect a new president on Sunday, incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and the main contender, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, have wrapped up their campaigns.

Venezuela’s government and opposition have closed the official presidential election campaign period with demonstrations of support that drew thousands of people on to the streets of the capital Caracas.

President Nicolas Maduro, who is seeking a third term, appeared on Thursday before supporters on a huge stage set up on one of the city’s main roads and rallied attendees with musical intermissions and dancing that peppered his speech.

Maduro told the crowd, some of which were transported to Caracas on state-owned buses, that his opponents were promoters of violence and described himself as a man who could ensure peace.

“Who of the 10 candidates guarantees peace and stability?” Maduro asked the crowd.