Popular opposition leader Maria Corina Machado faced numerous obstacles and hardships while campaigning for presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia against President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. Government forces blocked roads, gas stations mysteriously closed, and citizens were denied accreditation as poll monitors, all tactics used by an authoritarian government struggling to maintain power. Despite the hurdles, Machado remains determined and confident of victory.
Machado, a former frontrunner in the presidential race herself, was barred from holding office by Maduro’s allies, accused of supporting US sanctions and corruption. Venezuela’s Supreme Court upheld the ban, and she has also been banned from air travel. Nevertheless, she continues to rally voters for Gonzalez, drawing large crowds at campaign events. However, her team faces harassment and arrests, with machinery and equipment confiscated, and staff seeking refuge at embassies to avoid arrest.
Machado’s campaign experiences unusual challenges, including having to bring hoses and fuel in case gas stations along the route are closed. Despite the difficulties, Machado has received unexpected support from former chavistas, who now protect her campaign instead of harassing her. The government has targeted low-level political workers, small business owners, and even ordinary citizens associated with the opposition, with examples of arrest and intimidation documented by human rights organisations.
As Maduro’s popularity declines and the campaign intensifies, the government has stepped up repression tactics, including intimidation and violence towards opposition figures and their supporters. Critics accuse the government of trying to intimidate anyone showing association with the opposition to quell dissent and maintain control. Maduro himself has warned of potential violence and civil war if the opposition wins, a statement that has raised concerns among world leaders and human rights activists.
There are concerns about the integrity of the upcoming election, with reports of voting centres being shut down or renamed, making it difficult for voters to know where to cast their ballots. The ballot itself appears to be skewed in Maduro’s favor, with his image featured prominently above the names of 13 different parties, compared to just three appearances for Gonzalez. The government has also blocked critical news channels, further limiting access to information ahead of the vote, raising fears of manipulation and voter confusion.
Despite the challenges and repression faced by the opposition, they remain hopeful and optimistic about delivering a landslide victory at the polls. Supporters like imprisoned activist Aldo Roso are counting on the election to bring change and hope for a better future. However, the government’s escalating tactics of intimidation and violence against the opposition raise concerns about the potential for further repression in the days ahead. Venezuelans are bracing themselves for a critical election that could determine the country’s future direction.
