“If Edmundo wins, we will step down and become the opposition, period,” stated Nicolás Maduro Guerra, son of the Venezuelan president and a deputy for La Guaira in the National Assembly representing the ruling party PSUV, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País. This remark seemed to simplify a complex formula.
Venezuela, under the control of Nicolás Maduro, has scheduled the presidential elections for July 28. This announcement brings back memories of the "mega elections" from the year 2000. President Maduro is seeking a second re-election for another six-year term, despite his declining popularity.
“We are going to win, I assure you,” stated the president’s only son, reiterating their confidence in the polls they acknowledge. Over 21 million citizens are called to vote in these elections, both domestically and abroad. President Maduro, the official candidate, appears on 13 ballots representing different political organizations that support his candidacy.
However, only 69,211 Venezuelans abroad are eligible to vote, which is a small fraction of the approximately eight million who have emigrated, according to UN data. Government obstacles are the main reasons for this limited number.
The main contender with significant chances is Edmundo González Urrutia, a representative of the majority opposition. This opposition candidate is backed by his notable professional career that began in Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as Ambassador to Algeria (1991-1993) and Argentina (1998-2002). Despite this, he was relatively unknown to most Venezuelans until recently.
The support from opposition leader María Corina Machado has strengthened his candidacy, making him a viable rival who could potentially end over two decades of Chavismo.
Maduro’s son insisted to El País that when Chavismo has lost, they have always accepted it. “History has shown that when we don't win, we acknowledge it. Always, in every single election.”
“I believe that on July 29, the country should wake up in peace, regardless of the outcome. And I say this with full responsibility, regardless of the outcome. We are confident we will win,” expressed Maduro Guerra.
Chavismo has governed Venezuela for the past 25 years, starting with Hugo Chávez's democratic victory in 1999, and then, following his death in 2013, his successor, Maduro, won the presidency by a narrow margin and adopted more authoritarian policies.
A Critical Election for Venezuela
This election is seen as the one with the greatest chances for an opposition candidate, although Maduro has made several threats in case he does not win. Last February, he declared that his team would win “by fair means or foul” in these presidential elections.
His maneuvers prevented former congresswoman María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure, from running due to a 15-year ban on holding public office imposed by the Comptroller's Office in 2015 and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in January.
In the days leading up to the election, several vetoes have been issued to prevent observers who have expressed inconvenient positions for the regime from participating. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently revealed that he was alarmed upon hearing Maduro say that if he loses the upcoming election, there will be “a bloodbath” in Venezuela.
The Brazilian president recounted that he spoke with Maduro twice, warning him that “if he wants to help solve Venezuela's growth problems and the return of those who left, he must respect the democratic process.” Lula emphasized that in a democracy, “the loser gets a shower of votes, not a bloodbath,” and that “Maduro needs to learn that when you win, you stay, and when you lose, you go and prepare for the next election.”
In the opinion of the leader of the Workers' Party, Sunday's elections are “the only opportunity” for Venezuela to “return to normalcy” and reintegrate into the regional and international community.
FAQs on Venezuela's Upcoming Presidential Election
In light of the critical upcoming elections in Venezuela, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide further clarity on the situation.
What is the date of the Venezuelan presidential elections?
The Venezuelan presidential elections are scheduled for July 28.
Who are the main candidates in the election?
The main candidates are Nicolás Maduro, the current president, and Edmundo González Urrutia, representing the majority opposition.
How many Venezuelans abroad are eligible to vote?
Only 69,211 Venezuelans abroad are eligible to vote, a small fraction of the approximately eight million who have emigrated.
What has been the government's stance on election observers?
There have been several vetoes to prevent observers who have expressed inconvenient positions for the regime from participating.