Carter Center Sends Delegation to Venezuela

The country is holding a special election to replace President Hugo Chavez, who died last year.

The Atlanta-based Carter Center is sending a small delegation to oversee the process.

“We will not be doing a comprehensive evaluation of the process, but showing international interest and support,” says Dr. Jennifer McCoy, the director of the Carter Center’s Americas Program, which includes Venezuela.

McCoy and former Panama President Martin Torrijos are among the six officials making the trip.

Dr. Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia, says having foreigners oversee an election can make a difference.

“We’re all on our best behavior when we have company, which is kind of the notion behind it.  If there’s going to be outsiders and you know there’s going to be press coverage, if you care at all about what the rest of the world thinks about your processes, then you want to be on your best behavior.”

Dr. David Smilde is a sociology professor at the University of Georgia and Senior Fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America. He has researched Venezuela for twenty years and has written three books on it.

In a written statement to WABE, Smilde says the Carter Center has been a major mediator in Venezuela and has helped strengthen the country’s democratic processes.

“They are one of the few international organizations that are seen as credible by all sides of Venezuela’s political spectrum. This election will likely be peaceful and the results accepted by all, as was the case in 2012.”

The Carter Center also oversaw Venezuela’s 2012 presidential election, where Chavez won another term.