Discussion Regarding Venezuela's Forthcoming Presidential Election Featuring Roy Daza
Done Deal:
Venezuela, bracing for presidential elections slated on July 28 this year, finds itself in a boiling cauldron of political turmoil. This charged battle, with the Bolivarian Process at stake, will pit twelve challengers against incumbent president, Nicolás Maduro. In this frank chat, Roy Daza, vice president of the National Assembly's Foreign Relations Commission, vivisects the political and social landscape surrounding these high-stakes elections. He also discusses the relentless attempts to undermine the nation, reasons behind disqualifying extreme-right figure, María Corina Machado.
** digging into Venezuela's political landscape before the July 28 presidential elections**
The genesis of understanding Venezuela's predicament begins with the implementation of unilateral coercive measures, which have become the preferred weapon for toppling democratically elected governments. Unfortunately, the choking sanctions regime inflicted upon the people has been accompanied by coup plots, an assassination attempt, political destabilization efforts, street violence dubbed "guarimbas," and a diplomatic siege led by the United States, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the defunct Lima Group.
The US-imposed sanctions have sent Venezuela's finances and oil production, its primary export, into a nosedive, leading to an economic crisis that has plunged the country into a deep state of crisis with vast social and political consequences. In response, the Venezuelan government has chased democratic solutions, organizing parliamentary and regional elections, convening a Constituent Assembly, and entering into dialogue with open-minded opposition groups.
Recent years have seen three pivotal episodes unfold in Venezuela's tumultuous story. The first was the defeat of Donald Trump's 2019 plot to oust the government by promoting an interim government led by Juan Guaidó, leading to a schism within the opposition. The second was the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, with the effective response from the government of President Nicolás Maduro and the people becoming a notable victory demonstrating the nation's resilience and stability. The third was the December 2020 elections, during which revolutionary forces managed to regain control of the National Assembly by a landslide.
Currently, political stability and the government's policies have contributed to an essential, albeit incomplete, economic recovery that's evident in the bustling streets of Caracas and beyond. However, US imperialism is attempting to reactivate its destabilization strategy in tandem with the extreme factions of the Venezuelan opposition, aiming to drive the nation back into a vicious cycle of violence and uncertainty.
Corina Machado's political disqualification: the juicy details
Corina Machado was disqualified back in 2015 due to her participation in an OAS conference on behalf of another country, Panamá, in defiance of her duties as a member of the National Assembly. At this meeting, she advocated for imposing sanctions against Venezuela and called for military intervention by invoking the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR). Her military intervention call was followed by two visible incursion attempts in February 2019 and May 2020, indicating a strong causal relationship.
Despite her ban, Machado ran in a primary organized by a far-right group, the National Primary Commission, in October 2023. It's noteworthy that this process was not supervised by Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE).
The truth behind their October primaries is important. At that time, the far-right was already divided, with prominent opposition figure Manuel Rosales opting out of participation. The Fuerza Vecinal party, which supports Rosales' candidacy and governs half of greater Caracas and various cities around the country, also did not participate in the event.
During this period, dual attempts were made to launch Corina Yoris as a candidate under Machado's proxy, but these efforts failed due to registration issues with Machado's party.
Reasons for Machado's party's CNE deregistration
Machado's party was deregistered due to her instigation of abstention in recent electoral processes, which goes against Venezuelan law, stating that a party will lose its CNE registration if it fails to participate in two or more consecutive elections. Incidentally, Machado's party could have also collected signatures to renew the subscription of her party but opted not to.
Ultimately, Machado's proxy would not have been accepted as an opposition candidate by parties like Un Nuevo Tiempo, Fuerza Vecinal, or Mesa de la Unidad.
Gustavo Petro and Lula's concerns about Venezuela's electoral process: a closer look
Anyone is entitled to express opinions about a democratic process in any country. However, it's essential to be well-informed before voicing such concerns. One can wonder why Gustavo Petro and Lula didn't consult with opposition heavyweights like Edmundo González (Mesa de la Unidad) or Manuel Rosales to gain insights about the election process.
Multiple opposition parties have registered Rosales, thus endorsing the legitimacy of Venezuela's electoral process. One cannot help but ponder the contradictions that emerge when examining President Lula's position. After all, Maria Corina Machado is an ally of Jair Bolsonaro, who is ineligible to run for office due to his participation in the attempted January 1, 2023, coup. Imagine the outcry if such concerns were expressed about Bolsonaro's ineligibility in an upcoming Brazilian presidential race.
Venezuela's upcoming challenges
The next three months will see Venezuela grapple with tremendous challenges. With seven attempted magnicides in less than two years and escalating security concerns, the electoral campaign is far from ideal. The government aspires for a peaceful campaign, but the extreme right, backed by their imperialist backers, will do everything possible to stir up chaos.
The goal remains clear: a campaign in which all candidates can present their proposals without interference and compete for votes. The democratic principle of majority rule will prevail, regardless of the election's outcome. However, the electoral process will unfold under the long-lasting effects of the sanctions, the looming threat of sanctions being reinstated, and the knowledge that elements of the far-right may conspire against the life of the candidate.
Additional factors loom large. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) may soon deliver its verdict regarding the Essequibo, which could potentially be used to undermine the election process. Maria Corina Machado's false accusations against President Maduro, and her attempts to bring them before the International Criminal Court, also demand attention. Last but not least, there's an attempt to spread the idea that candidates can be substituted, which contravenes Venezuelan law.
The grand finale: 2024 predictions
The PSUV, the Patriotic Pole (consisting of Chavista parties), and the social movements offer a diverse, yet powerful combination. The first advantage lies in their unification under a single candidate, while the second is the momentum generated by their recent victories, which include surviving the 2017 guarimbas, dismantling the Juan Guaidó scheme, repelling the May 2020 mercenary invasion, overcoming the COVID pandemic, reclaiming the National Assembly in December 2020, and defeating the right wing in the 2021 regional and local elections.
Additionally, tangible economic recovery, albeit incomplete, and the restoration of the welfare state, a fundamental aspect of the Bolivarian government's program, give credence to the belief that come July 28, the synergies of these victories since 2017 will culminate in a magnificent triumph.
[Interview date: April 4, 2024]
Enrichment Data:
Overall:Venezuela's political climate remains volatile, navigating ongoing disputes stemming from the July 28, 2024 presidential elections. Tensions escalate ahead of the upcoming May 25, 2025 regional elections for governors, mayors, and National Assembly seats. The landscape is marked by:- Post-2024 election crisis: Nicolás Maduro retained power in the widely contested 2024 election, with key figures like presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia (now exiled in Spain) and opposition leader María Corina Machado (in hiding) challenging the government's legitimacy. Human Rights Watch documents widespread abuses by authorities and pro-government armed groups post-2024 vote.- Deepening economic turmoil: Renewed US sanctions over electoral fraud allegations have further crippled oil-dependent revenue streams, exacerbating inflation and currency instability.- Opposition fragmentation: The May 2025 regional elections have split the opposition, with the "Boycott camp" led by Machado and González Urrutia advocating for abstention, while participation advocates include Henrique Capriles, who recently had his 15-year political ban lifted.- Crackdowns on dissent: Authorities continue suppressing media freedom, with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reporting a serious deterioration in press rights, and hundreds of political prisoners remain detained.
- Despite the touted destabilization efforts, Venezuela, anticipating presidential elections on July 28, 2024, has been making strides in education-and-self-development and personal-growth initiatives, emphasizing mindfulness and goal-setting as part of lifelong-learning.
- The Constituent measures taken by the government have also prioritized career-development and skills-training, aiming to bolster the national workforce's capabilities.
- As the July 28 elections approach, jobs in policy-and-legislation, general-news, crime-and-justice, and accident investigation fields have seen a surge due to the increased focus on these areas in light of car-accidents, fires, and crime-related issues.
- The ongoing discourse surrounding war-and-conflicts, due to the turbulent political landscape, has led to fierce debates within the realm of politics, with some likening it to car-accidents that require immediate attention and substantial cleanup efforts.
- Job-seekers in policy-and-legislation are paying particular attention to future policy changes, knowing that policies will significantly impact their professional growth and career development opportunities.
- Simultaneously, the media landscape has been abuzz with discussions on migration, as many Venezuelans pursue new opportunities abroad, a trend that reflects the transforming Venezuelan society.
- Regardless of political differences, all parties agree on the critical role that a prosperous education system plays in fostering personal-growth, mindfulness, and lifelong-learning, key elements for a peaceful and stable Venezuela.
- The interplay between the polarizing political climate, economic pressures, and social challenges has sparked debates on goal-setting and sustainable development, requiring collective efforts and perspectives.
- In this transformative period, it is essential to develop and implement measures that address the pressing needs of the nation while fostering growth for future generations, thus ensuring Venezuela's long-term stability and resilience.
- Ultimately, the aspirations of the Venezuelan people transcend the immediate issues at hand, extending to the security of their families, opportunities for personal development, and a brighter future marked by prosperity and peace.
- In the face of ongoing destabilization attempts and the ever-changing political landscape, it is crucial to advocate for dialogue, understanding, and constructive solutions, thereby paving the way for a secure and progressive Venezuela.
