Venezuela Elections: Maduro Believes Re-Election As Opposition Seeks to Topple Quarter-Century Chavismo Regime

While Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to win a third term, a coalition formed by the main parties opposed to the Venezuelan government is determined to topple the 25-year-old regime. This Sunday, more than 21.3 million Venezuelans were called to vote to decide whether they would endorse a quarter-century of self-proclaimed socialist governments initiated by Chávez or choose a new direction with promises of “freedom” and change.

During the election campaign, the opposition faced a number of obstacles. The main setback was the inability of former MP María Corina Machado to register as a candidate after the judicial authorities disqualified her for 15 years. Because of this situation, Edmundo González Urrutia, who was only a preliminary candidate, became the official candidate of the party, explains CNN International.

Who is Maduro’s opponent?

In accordance with AP NewsEdmundo González was registered with the National Electoral Council (CNE) because neither María Corina Machado, the winner of the opposition primary in October, nor Corina Joris, whom Machado appointed as his replacement, were able to register.

González worked as a diplomat, analyst and journalist, holding important positions during his career. In the 1990s, he was the director of the Commission for Coordination and Strategic Planning of the Foreign Ministry, and then the Venezuelan ambassador to Algeria. He later served as the director general of international policy at the Foreign Ministry from 1994 to 1998. He later returned to embassies with the appointment of President Rafael Caldera.

When he was nominated, González echoed María Corina Machado’s line of speech. His main promises if he wins are to reduce inflation and raise wages “so that the currency does not devalue.”

Unpopular Mature

The socioeconomic crisis has worsened since Nicolás Maduro came to power. Poverty, hunger and health care costs have risen, leading more than 7.7 million Venezuelans to emigrate in search of better living conditions.

In 2018, following Maduro’s re-election, which the United States and other countries considered illegitimate, the then-Donald Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan government, which only worsened the crisis.

This set of situations has led to Maduro losing popularity. Unlike the two previous elections (2013 and 2018), Maduro now faces the biggest challenge to the ruling party since 1999.

The election coincided with the 70th birthday of former President Hugo Chávez, the historic leader who died of cancer in 2013, leaving Maduro to lead what he called the Bolivarian Revolution. Venezuelans will have to choose between the faces on the ballot, with Maduro’s name appearing 13 times.

Decision between Maduro and Gonzalez

In addition to Nicolás Maduro and Edmundo González, there are eight other candidates in the presidential race. However, the chances of winning are slim. The outcome must be decided between Maduro and Urrutia.

The election campaign was played out in an all-or-nothing atmosphere, with Maduro threatening a “bloodbath” and civil war if he did not win a third six-year term and the opposition promising to fight “to the end.”