Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s only son is campaigning for a seat in Venezuela’s congress.
According to The Washington Post, Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, is more commonly called “Nicolasito,” or “Little Nicolás” — spoke with The Associated Press ahead of the vote.
“We have thick skin, like a crocodile,” he said. “They’ve said everything they can think of about me, but there’s never proof.”
He is referring to corruption charges brought against his father in March. Federal prosecutors accused the president of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.
Last year, Washington Maduro Guerra was dragged into his father’s legal issues when Washington sanctioned him and others in the president’s inner circle. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin later accused “Nicolasito” of profiting off his father’s corruption at the cost of millions of poor Venezuelans.
The South American country’s leader took to social media to accuse the U.S. of conspiring with Colombia to remove him from office.
“I ratify my complaint! The U.S. and Colombia conspire and have given the order to fill Venezuela with violence. As Head of State I am obliged to defend the Peace and stability of the entire Homeland, in any circumstance that comes our way. They could not and will not!” Maduro tweeted in March.
Maduro Guerra is running for a congressional seat representing the coastal region of La Guaira. The region is home to Venezuela’s main international airport just outside the capital of Caracas.
If Maduro Guerra wins the seat, it will solidify the ruling party’s grip on the entire political system. The election to fill 277 seats is being boycotted by his father’s adversaries, per AlJazerra. They are claiming it is rigged because there are no assurances it will be legitimate
