Venezuela Roundup: Maduro ballot appearance, financing of female-led ventures, first country to lose all glaciers

Maduro appears 13 times on ballot

Venezuela's presidential election ballot features a photo of Nicolas Maduro 13 times, raising concerns of election fraud. Maduro’s face is featured in the July 28 vote document, complying with election rules that mandate a presidential candidate picture for each party, even when part of a coalition. However, the opposition candidate Edmundo González's photo appears only three times, according to the Telegraph. Maduro's authoritarian government is facing US sanctions and a loss of support and is accused of discrediting the opposition and engaging in corruption. The opposition candidate González has the support of around 60% in polls but winning is viewed as unlikely due to potential dirty tricks from the current regime, the Telegraph reports.

Flyover of American F/A-18 Super Hornets over Guyana

Venezuela has warned the US against interference in regional affairs following the recent flyover of American F/A-18 Super Hornets over Guyana, rekindling tensions over the oil-rich Essequibo region. The move, approved by the Guyana Defence Force, has sparked objections from Caracas. Venezuela's Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, condemned the presence of US military assets in the region. “We already warned about the threat to regional peace represented by the presence of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Caribbean. Now they announce the deployment of F-18 aircraft to fly over ‘Georgetown and its surroundings.’ Our Comprehensive Aerospace Defense System remains activated against any attempt to violate Venezuelan geographic space, including our Essequibo Territory,” Lopez wrote on his social media.

Argentina increases pressure over opposition embassy refugees

Argentina is increasing pressure on Venezuela to allow safe passage to six opposition aides who sought refuge in its embassy in Caracas after arrest warrants were issued against them for conspiracy. Officials claim that President Nicolas Maduro's administration has reneged on promises to allow the six to leave the country. "Venezuela is not issuing safe-conduct passes, it is not complying with what was agreed upon or with the (1954) Convention on Diplomatic Asylum," an official from Argentina's foreign ministry told Reuters.

President finances over 41,000 female-led ventures

Venezuelan President Maduro financed over 41,000 female-led ventures and highlighted the importance of women in the country's economic development. The financing was announced at a meeting in Anzoategui, a state in northeastern Venezuela, which was attended by the Venezuelan First Lady and other government officials. Maduro also emphasised the protection and support of women during pregnancy and provided medical equipment for comprehensive health care., local media teleSur reported. “Women are at the forefront of the fight for the great Homeland and the future prosperity of Venezuela,” Maduro said.

Venezuela becomes first country to lose all glaciers to global warming

Venezuela has become the first country to lose all its glaciers due to global warming. The Humboldt glacier in the Andes, which is the only glacier left in Venezuela, has shrunk to the point where it can no longer be considered a glacier, according to the scientific advocacy group International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI).  There used to be six glaciers in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountain range, which is located roughly 5,000 meters above sea level. As of 2011, just the Humboldt glacier remained. Excessive global warming has caused the glacier to melt, despite earlier estimates suggesting it may last for another ten years, according to reports. “Other countries lost their glaciers several decades ago after the end of the Little Ice Age but Venezuela is arguably the first one to lose them in modern times,” said Maximiliano Herrera, a climatologist.