The story of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in the wake of a critical election: economic security, unrest, and political instability
In what appears to be a deeply unfair election riddled with irregularities, Venezuelan’s authoritarian president, Nicolás Maduro, seems to have survived once again. The outcome, which is already facing challenges and unrest that could grow in the coming days, is not just a disappointment for the opposition and the millions of Venezuelans yearning for democratic change. The election proved that the new brand ofauthoritarianism gripping the Americas may not fade away anytime soon.
President Nicolás Maduro, in seeking a third term, faced his toughest challenge yet from the unlikeliest of opponents: Edmundo González, a retired diplomat who was unknown to voters before being tapped in April as a last-minute stand-in for opposition powerhouse Maria Corina Machado.
In a statement, Machado said “Edmundo Gónzalez won this election. We are aware of this. In every state, we know it. We know what happened today,” citing irregularities that bring the results into question.
“No one is going to create chaos in Venezuela,” Maduro said. I will recognize the electoral referee, the official announcements, and make sure they are recognized.
Venezuela has one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, once boasting Latin America’s most advanced economy. But it entered into a free fall after Maduro took the helm. Plummeting oil prices, widespread shortages and hyperinflation that soared past 130,000% led first to social unrest and then mass emigration.
The crisis worsened because of the economic sanctions from the U.S. that were meant to force Caracas from power after its reelection.
Maduro’s pitch to voters this election is one of economic security, which he tried to sell with stories of entrepreneurship and references to a stable currency exchange and lower inflation rates. The International Monetary Fund forecasts the economy will grow 4% this year — one of the fastest in Latin America — after having shrunk 71% from 2012 to 2020.
Most of Venezuela’s citizens have not seen a change in their quality of life. Many earn under $200 a month, which means families struggle to afford essential items. Some work more than one job. A basket of basic staples — sufficient to feed a family of four for a month — costs an estimated $385.
With the exodus of many Venezuelans, migration was at the forefront during the campaign. The sanctions imposed by the U.S. against Venezuela forced many people to leave the country, he said.
Nicolas Maduro’s son said on X that the ballot boxes show what the streets said in the past few months. It was a victory for the people of Venezuela.
Earlier, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris offered her support. “The United States is with the people of Venezuela, who voted for a new president today,” Harris wrote.
She didn’t claim victory before the official results were announced but did say that she received copies of the official voting tally and it showed a record turnout as the opposition tried to beat the electoral machine.
Some polls remained open hours after the end of the deadline for voting in Venezuela’s presidential election, even as the country waited to know if it would end 25 years of single party rule.
The opposition was already celebrating online and outside of the voting centers, where they promised a huge victory for Gonzlez. Their hope was boosted by purported exit polls showing a healthy margin of victory for González. Under the law of Venezuela, exit polls are not allowed.
Gonzlez promised to welcome those who have left with open arms, saying that we would do everything possible to get them back.
The people cried and shouted ” Freedom! Freedom! ” during the rallies of Gonzalez and Machado. The duo passed by. People handed the devout Catholics rosaries, walked along highways and went through military checkpoints to reach their events. Others video-called their relatives who have migrated to let them catch a glimpse of the candidates.
Maduro’s campaign rallies featured lively electronic merengue dancing as well as speeches attacking his opponents. He recoiled after being criticized by his left-wing allies for a comment about a “bloodbath” should he lose. His son told the Spanish newspaper El Pais that the ruling party would hand over the presidency if it lost, an admission of vulnerability out of step with the campaign tone.
The campaigns distinguished themselves by how they addressed voters’ hopes and fears.
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The majority of those who migrated from Venezuela settled in Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent years, many began setting their sights on the U.S.
“What we see today are lines of joy and hope,” González, 74, told reporters. “We’ll change hatred for love.” We will change poverty so that it is not a problem anymore. We intend to change corruption for honesty. We will change goodbyes for reunions.”
After voting at a church-adjacent poll site in an upper-class Caracas neighborhood, González called on the country’s armed forces to respect “the decision of our people.”
González and Machado focused much of their campaigning on Venezuela’s vast hinterland, where the economic activity seen in Caracas in recent years didn’t materialize. They promised a government that would create sufficient jobs to attract Venezuelans living abroad to return home and reunite with their families.
The opposition tried to take advantage of the huge inequalities caused by the crisis, when Venezuela abandoned its currency for the U.S. dollar.
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She said that if she and her son are granted visas to emigrate to the U.S., they will ask relatives in the U.S. to sponsor them. “We can’t take it anymore,” she said.
Elsewhere, Liana Ibarra, a manicurist in greater Caracas, got in line at 3 a.m. Sunday with her water, coffee and cassava snack-laden backpack only to find at least 150 people ahead of her.
She said she was voting for change in Venezuela, that there are jobs, security, and good pay for teachers, doctors, and nurses.
It is not a uniformly grim picture. Elsewhere — in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and the United States — democracy is succeeding. But it is being tested as the opposition to pluralism and inclusion grows, and social unrest and dissatisfaction with the government spreads against a backdrop of stark inequality and institutional instability.
Machado still toured the country — by car, as she has also been barred from air travel — bringing out large crowds in even the smallest towns to garner excitement around González’s campaign, with the candidate himself often appearing too.
The government trailed right behind her: blocking off key roads, even detaining local restaurant owners who served her team. Authorities also planned rallies for Maduro at the same time and place. Dozens of opposition activists have been arrested. Machado always managed to get there by car, motorcycle or foot. People stretched their arms out, screaming “Help us, María!”
On the other side, Machado has coined the slogan “Volver a Casa,” which means “return home,” referencing a collective desire in the growing diaspora. Eduany Pravda, 19, wore a shirt with this slogan to a local opposition rally in the Caracas neighborhood of La Vega earlier this week. “I’ve lived with my brother since I was 14,” she explained, tearing up. “Our parents had to leave for Colombia, to take care of us.”
If change doesn’t happen now, people will leave, there is a common sentiment
Following numerous negotiations, Maduro’s government promised “fair and free elections.” His critics said that the last-minute rule changes and confusion of the ballot undermined how fair they would be. Posters and billboards displayed the likeness of Maduro all over the country. The main opposition candidate, González, enjoyed no such publicity. The lesser-known candidates were given access to this marketing.
As she told NPR that she loved her president, Maryelis Bolvar de Flores held up her sign with pride. He’s the only president who cares about us — the people, the poor, hardworking people.”
The Venezuelan Election Day Manifesto: “Hope was in air for Venezuela’s election, but it ended in dispute and uncertainty”
At both rallies, the crowds joined their candidates in singing the national anthem — a sight that signaled that, on Election Day, people would vote for their country.
In some voting centers, machines malfunctioned. At others, colectivos — armed, pro-government groups — were present and provocative. Still, people stood their ground to vote. And after the centers closed, groups of citizens went to exercise their right to be present during the counting of the vote. Riot shields were used by police forces. In various places, they temporarily used their shields to keep everyday citizens out of the voting center. The vote was counted because the people didn’t leave.
Rosa Cova, 60 years old and recovering from surgery, told NPR after casting her ballot in the Catia neighborhood of Caracas, “This is our last chance to get out of this mess.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the votes must be “counted fairly and transparently” and that “the international community is watching this very closely and will respond accordingly.”
What is going to happen in the future is unclear because of the results dispute. People are aware of the history of the suppression of protests by repressive government forces if they choose to take to the streets.
Source: Hope was in the air for Venezuela’s election, but it ended in dispute and uncertainty
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The photographer Lexi Parra works out of New York City and Venezuela. You can see more of her work on LexiParra.com or on Instagram, at @lexigraceparra.
Venezuela’s election was finally held after months of doubts and obstacles. Venezuela woke Monday to a tense outcome where both the president and his opponents claimed victory.