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News > Latin America

Venezuela Reopens Miami Consulate for Voter Registration

  • Maduro reopens Miami consulate to ensure participation.

    Maduro reopens Miami consulate to ensure participation. | Photo: EFE

Published 15 February 2018
Opinion

The consulate had been closed since 2012, after the U.S. expelled the Venezuelan diplomat who headed the delegation.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Wednesday that the Country´s General Consulate in Miami will be opened to ensure Venezuelans who reside in the United States can register to vote in the April 22 presidential elections.

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Venezuela: Electoral Council Confirms Election Dates, Plans

The general consulate in Miami was late was closed in 2012 by former president Hugo Chavez after the United States expelled the Venezuelan diplomat, Livia Acosta, who headed the delegation under accusations of conspiracy.

In a national television and radio transmission, Maduro said his decision to reopen the consulate responds to a request by members of the Venezuelan community in Miami, who want to register and “prepare to vote.”

"I announce on April 22nd Venezuelans living abroad will be able to vote. Registration will begin immediately and the consulate in Miami will be reopened. #JuntosTodoEsPosible (#TogetherEverthingIsPossible)," Maduro tweeted. 

His announcement comes days after the 14-member Lima Group rejected Venezuela’s elections and disinvited Maduro from participating in the April Summit of the Americas. The Group questions Venezuela’s decision to call elections, a demand made by opposition parties in Venezuela for more than a year. The opposition parties, who readily participated in talks with the government before the Lima Group's and the United States' intervention, have since refused to confirm if they will participate in the elections.     

Maduro has tasked Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, with overseeing the implementation of the registration process in the country’s consulates and embassies around the world, stating that this measure will strengthen Venezuela’s democracy.

The president also encouraged the population to register in the National Electoral Council (CNE) system and confirmed the registration process will be open until Feb. 25 in all embassies and consulates to ensure all Venezuelans can exercise their right to vote.    

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