VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT MADURO FACES CRUCIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AMIDST RISING OPPOSITION

Sat 27 July 2024:

Venezuela will hold a presidential election on Sunday, where incumbent Nicolas Maduro seeks a third term after 11 years in power. Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. local time.

Maduro, who became president in 2013 after Hugo Chavez’s death and won again in a contested 2018 election, is currently trailing opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzales Urrutia by 40 points. Experts suggest this election might be the opposition’s best chance in years to claim the presidency.

Public Sentiment and Campaigns

Thousands have demonstrated in support of the 74-year-old Gonzales Urrutia, a retired diplomat who was relatively unknown until recently. “The ruling party did not consider him dangerous and believed that nobody would support him, but today he has had the best polls from the opposition side,” said Ronal Rodriguez, a researcher at the Venezuelan Observatory.

Gonzales Urrutia’s candidacy emerged after the disqualification of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The opposition vows to “reconcile” the country and address the severe economic crisis that has driven nearly 8 million Venezuelans to flee, according to the UN.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited flood-hit areas, urging preparations for the reopening of schools. Rodriguez highlighted the severe demographic and infrastructural decline, exacerbated by international sanctions and government mismanagement.

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International Pressure for Fair Elections

The US and other countries, including Argentina and Chile, have urged Maduro to ensure fair elections. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also called for respect for the electoral results, despite Maduro’s warnings of potential violence if the opposition wins.

“If you don’t want Venezuela to fall into a bloodbath, into a fratricidal civil war, due to the fascists, let’s ensure the greatest success, the greatest victory in the electoral history of our people,” said Maduro.

Lula said he had been “frightened” by Maduro’s remarks.

“When you lose, you go home and get ready to run in another election,” said Lula. “Maduro knows that the only way for Venezuela to return to normality is to have an electoral process that is respected by everyone,” he added, while announcing he would send former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim to act as an observer for the elections.

Experts question whether Maduro will accept an opposition victory, warning of possible violence and increased sanctions, which could drive more Venezuelans to flee. The International Criminal Court is also investigating Maduro for alleged crimes against humanity, adding to the stakes of this election.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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