Venezuelan Defense Minister tones down rhetoric ahead of elections after Maduro's 'bloodbath' warning

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López seemed to tone down the government's rhetoric ahead of Sunday's elections, contrasting with a warning from President Nicolás Maduro that there would be a "bloodbath" if he didn't get reelected.

"Those who win can get on with their government plan, those who lose can go and take a break," said the official. He then sent a more ambiguous message, saying the armed forces will wait for the official decision issued by the electoral council, which is controlled by the government and banned the opposition's main leader, María Corina Machado, from running.

"We will do what we have always done: defend the constitution and the people's sovereignty. Make no mistakes!" he added.

While the government is widely expected to resort to maneuvers to stay in power, the statement is a departure from the outright threat uttered by Maduro. "If you don't want Venezuela to fall into a bloodbath, into a fratricidal civil war because of fascists, we need to guarantee the largest electoral victory in the history of our people," Maduro said during a speech in Caracas last week.

The statement followed similar others over the past days. Last Thursday he also said the elections will decide whether there is "war or peace, violent protests or calm, a long-term project for our country or being a colony." "Are you ready? I am, I have love for Venezuela, I have experience, I don't even fear the devil. God is with me, he is with us," he said back then.

The statements prompted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, historically reluctant to criticize Venezuela, to speak publicly. "It scared me," Lula said in an interview with foreign media. In a democracy, he said, "those who lose bathe in votes, not in blood." "Maduro needs to learn that when you win, you stay, and when you lose, you leave and get ready for the next elections."

Aware of the government's reluctance to relinquish power, opposition members have for months been demanding the government engage in negotiations aimed at an orderly transition should they be defeated, a scenario that polls are predicting.