Venezuelans are heading to the polls for their first full presidential election in over a decade after opposition parties ended their boycott and coalesced around a single candidate in hopes of ousting the current regime. The de facto opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has rallied the people of Venezuela, with both Chavistas and anti-Chavistas wanting a change. However, Joseph Humire of the Center for a Secure Free Society cautioned that changing the president is not enough, as the criminal system embedded in Venezuelan institutions will continue operating regardless of who is in power. Despite this, Humire acknowledged that Maria Corina has given Venezuelans another chance for change.
Opposition supporters are backing Edmundo Gonzalez, who is leading incumbent President Nicolas Maduro in the polls. Maduro has warned of a potential “bloodbath” if he is defeated, as his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) holds a majority in the country’s National Assembly and controls the judiciary and electoral council. Humire shared polling data suggesting that Maduro would receive significantly fewer votes than Gonzalez, indicating a potential victory for the opposition candidate. Maduro may need to resort to fraud to steal the election, or strike a deal to remain in power.
Demonstrations held ahead of the election drew thousands to the capital, with Maduro accusing his opponents of promoting violence while he claimed to seek peace. State television did not broadcast any of the opposition rally, highlighting the struggle the opposition faces in getting their message heard. Venezuelans abroad have also faced obstacles in registering to vote, with bureaucratic hurdles preventing the majority of voters from being ready for the election. Maduro succeeded Hugo Chavez as leader of the PSUV in 2013 and has remained in power for over a quarter of a century, making this election potentially pivotal for the country.
Former U.N. Security Council diplomat Isaias Medina III believes that Sunday’s election could mark the beginning of the end of Venezuela’s political catastrophe. Despite the challenges posed by geopolitical forces and the entrenched regime, the potential for a new beginning for Venezuela is on the horizon. Should a change in leadership occur, it could lead to the development and growth of the nation with Western-minded policies and alliances. Medina envisions a free Venezuela shining once again like a city on a hill, with the possibility of rectifying the socialist aberrations of the past two decades and ushering in a new era for the country.
Overall, the upcoming election in Venezuela is seen as a crucial moment for the nation, with a united opposition rallying behind a single candidate in hopes of ousting the current regime. The potential victory of Edmundo Gonzalez over incumbent President Nicolas Maduro could signal a significant shift in power, though challenges such as potential fraud or deal-making by Maduro remain. Despite obstacles in registering to vote and getting their message out, opposition supporters are determined to bring change to their country. The election could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Venezuela, paving the way for growth and development under a new leadership that aims to rectify the mistakes of the past and steer the country towards a brighter future.
