Yordenis Ugás, the Cuban professional boxing champion, voiced his excitement over the opposition's potential victory in Venezuela's presidential elections this Sunday. He hailed Venezuelans yearning for change after 25 years of chavismo as "a beacon of hope for all freedom lovers."
"A historic Sunday is approaching. Tomorrow, Venezuelans have the most crucial election in their history. They are a beacon of hope for all who love freedom. I hope they come out for all these reasons and for all the political prisoners they have. Go Venezuela, go. The whole world, especially Cubans and Nicaraguans, will be watching. God bless," Ugás wrote on his social media.
In a video shared on his X account, the boxer and Cuban civil society activist expressed his excitement in this decisive moment for Venezuelans who want to oust dictator Nicolás Maduro from Miraflores, and for all peoples oppressed by leftist dictatorships and populism.
"On behalf of decent Cubans, I want to apologize to Venezuelans because that sick and perverse system that has hit you for the last 25 years was born in Havana," he said.
At the same time, the 'Patria y Vida' champion urged them to vote, "because you have the opportunity that we haven't had in 64 years. I know there are traps, but the dictatorship has been cheating since it blocked María Corina Machado's candidacy and prevented eight million exiles from voting."
"Tomorrow [this Sunday] they will cheat, but the difference in votes will be so vast that it won't add up for them," Ugás predicted.
He also called on Venezuelans to vote "for the millions who have gone into exile, for those who died in the 2014 protests, for those who died in the 2017 protests, for the murder of Oscar Alberto Pérez and his soldiers, for the six years that Leopoldo López was imprisoned, for the old man who has nothing to eat…"
"Tomorrow is your day. Freedom lovers will be praying for you. God bless the Venezuelan people, and from tomorrow onwards, may you build a Venezuela where one can live with dignity," he concluded.
Key Questions About Venezuela's Presidential Elections
In light of Yordenis Ugás's passionate remarks, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the upcoming elections in Venezuela.
Why are these elections considered historic for Venezuela?
These elections are deemed historic because they represent a critical opportunity for Venezuelans to potentially end 25 years of chavismo and bring about significant political change.
What challenges do Venezuelans face during the voting process?
Venezuelans face numerous challenges, including alleged electoral fraud, the exclusion of certain candidates like María Corina Machado, and the disenfranchisement of millions of exiles.
Who are some of the key figures mentioned by Yordenis Ugás in his message?
Ugás mentioned several key figures, including María Corina Machado, Oscar Alberto Pérez, and Leopoldo López, highlighting their significance in the fight against the Maduro regime.