Presidential candidate Maduro pointed the finger at the former US Ambassador to Venezuela Otto Reich and the ex-ambassador to the Organization of American States, Roger Noriega, outing them as the driving force behind the conspiracy.

“Their goal is to kill me,” said Maduro on Saturday during an electoral campaign speech in the northern state of Bolivar. He called on his supporters to be on maximum alert, warning that the object of the plot was to increase the homicide rate in cities across Venezuela and cause a blackout ahead of the elections.

“Roger Noriega and Otto Reich are involved, as well as the Salvadorian far right that has contracted hit men,” announced Maduro during his speech. He stressed that they wanted him dead because “they know they cannot beat me in fair elections.”

The curse of Maracapana

Addressing a throng of followers at his campaign speech, Maduro also gave a warning that an ancient curse would fall on those who do not vote for him in next week’s elections.

“If someone votes against Nicolas Maduro then he is voting against himself,” announced the acting president. “The curse of Maracapana will fall on them.”

The curse in question harks back to the Battle of Maracapana in 1568 which, according to Maduro, was “a battle where betrayal triumphed.”