VOA常速英语2020--马杜罗统治下不可能举行自由公平的选举

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.

以下是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。

The illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro has scheduled National Assembly elections for December 6th. But there is no point in holding such a vote, because as U.S. Special Representative Elliot Abrams noted¹ in a recent briefing, “none of the basic conditions for free elections exist in Venezuela.” “Opposition parties have been stolen and regime agents appointed to run them; the national elections commission is completely under regime control; freedom of the press does not exist; repression² and intimidation³ by the police and colectivo gangs continues,” noted Mr. Abrams. Indeed, there aren’t even reliable and tested voting machines in Venezuela. Moreover, the rules were recently changed by the Maduro regime, which created over 100 new National Assembly seats and changed voting district lines. For these reasons, Interim⁴ President Juan Guaido and a coalition⁵ of 37 parties have said they would not legitimize such fraud by participating in the election.

尼古拉斯·马杜罗非法政权计划12月6日举行国民议会选举。但举行这样的选举毫无意义，因为正如美国负责委内瑞拉事务的特别代表艾里奥特·艾布拉姆斯最近介绍情况时指出，“委内瑞拉不存在举行自由选举的任何基本条件”。“反对党遭到剽窃，政权特工人员被任命来管理他们；全国选举委员会完全受政权控制；新闻自由不存在；警察和集体帮派组织的压迫和恐吓仍在继续。”艾布拉姆斯表示。事实上，委内瑞拉甚至都没有可靠和经过检验的投票机器。此外，马杜罗政权近期改变了规则，将国民议会席位增加了一百多席，而且改变了选区分界。出于这些原因，临时总统胡安·瓜伊多和由37个政党组成的联盟表示，他们不会参加这次选举，让此类舞弊行为合法化。

The United States has supported the diverse and broad array of democratic actors fighting for liberty and democracy in Venezuela. Special Representative Abrams cautioned those who have decided⁶ to participate in the National Assembly elections, saying, “you have a special obligation to demand the necessary, internationally accepted conditions for free and fair elections, and to speak openly about the repression and corruption⁷ of the Maduro regime.” The United States is able to distinguish between democratic actors who differ on strategy and people who work with the regime to undermine democracy, said Mr. Abrams. “We will not hesitate to apply the full force of U.S. sanctions to the latter group, as we have been doing in the last few years. To all Venezuelans who struggle for free elections and a restoration of democracy, we continue to pledge our full support.”

美国支持委内瑞拉各界具有广泛代表性的民主行动人士争取自由和民主的斗争。特别代表艾布拉姆斯告诫那些已经决定参加国民议会选举的人说，“你们有特别的义务要求拥有举行自由公平选举所必须的和国际社会公认的条件，公开揭露马杜罗政权的压迫和腐败行径。”艾布拉姆斯说，美国能够区分存在策略分歧的民主行动人士和与政权合作破坏民主的人之间的区别。“我们将毫不犹豫地向后者施加美国的全面制裁，就像过去几年我们一直做的那样。我们将继续保证全力支持为实现自由选举和恢复民主而奋斗的所有委内瑞拉人民。”

That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.

这是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 repression   

n.镇压，抑制，抑压

参考例句：

• The repression of your true feelings is harmful to your health.压抑你的真实感情有害健康。
• This touched off a new storm against violent repression.这引起了反对暴力镇压的新风暴。

3 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

4 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。