02:36Venezuelan re-elected President Nicolas Maduro accused his opponents, Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado, of preparing a 'criminal attack' on Venezuelans during his statement at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas on Wednesday.
"It is a criminal attack, and not criminal only because of the violence," he claimed and elaborated: "It is criminal because they looked for criminals to attack, to kill people, to burn schools, hospitals, and health centres, to threaten thousands and thousands of Venezuelans and their families in their homes."
He emphasised the notion of accountability, describing the opposition leaders as a "perverse and macabre duo who have to assume their responsibility. The duo of Gonzalez Urrutia and Machado, who are active recidivists."
Maduro announced that he has officially requested an audit of the presidential election from the Supreme Court of Justice, noting that he is "willing to be summoned, interrogated, and, in all its parts, investigated by the Electoral Chamber."
"The Great Patriotic Pole and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela are ready to present one hundred percent of the electoral records that are in our hands. And I hope that the Electoral Chamber does the same with each candidate and each party," expressed Maduro.
Earlier, Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro had been re-elected to a historic third term with 51 percent of the vote to his main challenger's 44 percent. Following the result – which the opposition rejected – Maduro claimed a 'coup' was being attempted by 'fascists' with links to the US.
Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote. The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 percent of the votes cast, although did not provide any evidence.
Maduro's main opponent was Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations which she denies.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007. Around 17 million people were eligible to vote.
Maduro accuses opposition of 'criminal attack' on Venezuelans after requesting 2024 election audit at Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas
Venezuelan re-elected President Nicolas Maduro accused his opponents, Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado, of preparing a 'criminal attack' on Venezuelans during his statement at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas on Wednesday.
"It is a criminal attack, and not criminal only because of the violence," he claimed and elaborated: "It is criminal because they looked for criminals to attack, to kill people, to burn schools, hospitals, and health centres, to threaten thousands and thousands of Venezuelans and their families in their homes."
He emphasised the notion of accountability, describing the opposition leaders as a "perverse and macabre duo who have to assume their responsibility. The duo of Gonzalez Urrutia and Machado, who are active recidivists."
Maduro announced that he has officially requested an audit of the presidential election from the Supreme Court of Justice, noting that he is "willing to be summoned, interrogated, and, in all its parts, investigated by the Electoral Chamber."
"The Great Patriotic Pole and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela are ready to present one hundred percent of the electoral records that are in our hands. And I hope that the Electoral Chamber does the same with each candidate and each party," expressed Maduro.
Earlier, Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro had been re-elected to a historic third term with 51 percent of the vote to his main challenger's 44 percent. Following the result – which the opposition rejected – Maduro claimed a 'coup' was being attempted by 'fascists' with links to the US.
Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote. The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 percent of the votes cast, although did not provide any evidence.
Maduro's main opponent was Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations which she denies.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007. Around 17 million people were eligible to vote.
Venezuelan re-elected President Nicolas Maduro accused his opponents, Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado, of preparing a 'criminal attack' on Venezuelans during his statement at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas on Wednesday.
"It is a criminal attack, and not criminal only because of the violence," he claimed and elaborated: "It is criminal because they looked for criminals to attack, to kill people, to burn schools, hospitals, and health centres, to threaten thousands and thousands of Venezuelans and their families in their homes."
He emphasised the notion of accountability, describing the opposition leaders as a "perverse and macabre duo who have to assume their responsibility. The duo of Gonzalez Urrutia and Machado, who are active recidivists."
Maduro announced that he has officially requested an audit of the presidential election from the Supreme Court of Justice, noting that he is "willing to be summoned, interrogated, and, in all its parts, investigated by the Electoral Chamber."
"The Great Patriotic Pole and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela are ready to present one hundred percent of the electoral records that are in our hands. And I hope that the Electoral Chamber does the same with each candidate and each party," expressed Maduro.
Earlier, Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro had been re-elected to a historic third term with 51 percent of the vote to his main challenger's 44 percent. Following the result – which the opposition rejected – Maduro claimed a 'coup' was being attempted by 'fascists' with links to the US.
Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote. The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 percent of the votes cast, although did not provide any evidence.
Maduro's main opponent was Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations which she denies.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007. Around 17 million people were eligible to vote.