The opposition leader María Corina Machado has proposed a "negotiated transition" of power in Venezuela, offering guarantees, safe passages, and incentives to the current leader, Nicolás Maduro, to leave the Miraflores Palace.
Machado, who remains in hiding due to threats on her life, responded to a questionnaire from AFP, emphasizing her confidence in the opposition's victory in the recent elections and her allegations of fraud. She discussed the possibility of initiating a "negotiation for democratic transition" that includes "guarantees, safe passages, and incentives for the parties involved, in this case, the regime that was defeated in that presidential election."
"We are determined to move forward with a negotiation," the 56-year-old leader reiterated. "It will be a complex, delicate transition process in which we will unite the entire nation."
Machado's statements come after the hypothetical offer from the United States to Maduro of an agreement with broad guarantees for his safety, provided he accepts his defeat and begins a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela.
According to the reputable British outlet The Economist, which cited anonymous sources, the Biden administration is willing to offer the Venezuelan dictator "whatever Maduro wants" to stop the repression of opponents and protesters, transparently present the records validating the election results, and acknowledge the Venezuelan people's desire for change.
Following elections denounced as fraudulent by the opposition, international organizations, observers, and several governments, the National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Maduro the winner with 52% of the votes but refused to publish the detailed counts, claiming the system was hacked.
The opposition, meanwhile, claimed their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won with 67% of the votes, presenting a website with scanned copies of over 80% of the ballots as evidence. Maduro's government dismissed these proofs as forged and requested the supreme court to "certify" the elections, a process the opposition and several academics consider inappropriate.
Machado, who took on the opposition leadership after a landslide victory in the October primaries, expressed pride in the Venezuelan society's resilience against what she termed "the most unequal and arbitrary election" in the country's history. Despite being politically disqualified, Machado has been the mastermind behind the opposition's campaign, working closely with González Urrutia.
Maduro's re-election has been questioned by the United States, the European Union, and several Latin American countries, who insist on the need for a detailed recount. Machado has called on the international community to recognize González Urrutia's victory and pressure Maduro to accept a negotiated transition. "International forces are co-responsible for what happens in Venezuela," Machado stated, urging world governments to raise their voices against repression in Venezuela.
In response to the election results, protests erupted in the country, leaving at least 24 dead and over 2,200 detained, according to official figures. Nonetheless, Machado remains steadfast in her belief that the truth will prevail and that on January 10, 2025, Edmundo González Urrutia will assume the presidency of Venezuela.
"We are a team, an unbreakable bloc," Machado told AFP about her relationship with González Urrutia. "All Venezuelans feared for our freedom and our lives, all of us," she admitted. "And I am outraged by this brutal reaction from the regime, but I am also calm and confident that we will enforce popular sovereignty and that the truth will prevail."
She also dismissed the military high command's declaration of "absolute loyalty" to Maduro, assuring that many soldiers responsible for guarding polling stations supported the collection of records for her website.
"Maduro's only option at this moment is to entrench himself around generating violence and fear, on the one hand, and a very small group of high-ranking military officers who do not represent the aspirations of the vast majority of our National Armed Forces," she asserted.
"I am absolutely convinced that the vast majority of military citizens, as well as police forces, yearn for a change to a Venezuela where justice, opportunities, and freedom exist," she insisted. "On January 10, 2025, Venezuela will have González Urrutia as its new president and new commander-in-chief."
Questions About Venezuela's Political Transition
In the context of María Corina Machado's proposal for a negotiated power transition in Venezuela, several questions arise regarding the potential outcomes and implications. Here are some key inquiries and their answers.
What incentives is María Corina Machado offering to Nicolás Maduro for stepping down?
Machado is proposing guarantees, safe passages, and incentives to Maduro to encourage him to leave power peacefully.
How has the international community reacted to Maduro's re-election?
The re-election of Maduro has been questioned by the United States, the European Union, and several Latin American countries, who demand a detailed recount.
What evidence does the opposition present to claim victory in the elections?
The opposition claims their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won with 67% of the votes and has presented a website with scanned copies of over 80% of the ballots as evidence.
What is the current situation of protests in Venezuela following the election results?
Protests have erupted, resulting in at least 24 deaths and over 2,200 detentions, highlighting the severe response from the regime.