Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado calls for a boycott of the May 25 elections, claiming polls will be ’empty.’ Divisions within the opposition arise, with another faction led by Henrique Capriles opting to participate. Machado argues the elections are a farce aimed at hiding Maduro’s previous losses. Amidst claims of regime vulnerability, the opposition gears up for a significant political confrontation.
Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, has declared a boycott of the upcoming May 25 gubernatorial and legislative elections. In a recent Zoom interview with AFP, she emphasized that polling stations would be empty , reiterating her stance against President Nicolas Maduros disputed reelection last year. According to Machado, the upcoming vote represents a huge farce, aiming to cover up the regime’s defeat from the July 28 vote, which she and many international observers believe her party won.
During the interview, she stated, May 25 will be a huge defeat for the regime because it will find itself absolutely alone. Machado is calling for a mass boycott to leave all the (voting) centers empty. However, the opposition remains divided. While Machado’s lead group advocates for non-participation, a smaller faction led by former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles has expressed intentions to take part in the elections.
Machado alleges that the Maduro administration has used security forces to silence dissent, even amidst claims of support from these forces. Despite Madura’s control, she argues there are cracks within the security apparatus and that the government might be in a state of great vulnerability. The political landscape is shaky, following the opposition’s previous boycotts of parliamentary elections in 2020 and presidential elections in 2018.
The absence of the opposition from these votes allowed Maduros allies to operate freely, solidifying their grip on parliament. Human rights groups noted that subsequent legislation leaned towards oppressive measures. Machado’s Democratic Unity Platform (PUD) contended that their calculations from polling stations indicated the opposition’s Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia securing two-thirds of the votes.
Having kept a low profile since July, Machado briefly attended a protest in Caracas earlier this year. She has voiced that participating in the election would validate what she calls a corrupt process. As the election date approaches, Maduro’s party has released candidate names, including for the contentious Essequibo region, which Guyana has governed for over a century.
Capriles pushes for participation, asserting that there is no other path than through the ballot box to challenge Maduro, who has remained in power amid stringent US sanctions. It remains a contentious issue within the opposition, with some leaders asserting that these sanctions have severely impacted the Venezuelan people instead of aiding in the fight against the regime. Machado, however, holds Maduro accountable, stating, The only person responsible for the sanctions is Nicolas Maduro. She pledged to maintain her resistance against Maduro’s rule, declaring her dedication to the struggle to the end.
In summary, the Venezuelan opposition under Maria Corina Machado is firmly against the May 25 elections, labeling them as a mere farce by Maduro’s regime. The split among opposition factions complicates the political landscape. Machado underscores the risks of legitimizing a corrupt process through participation. With both sides raising critical voices against Maduro, the May elections will signify a pivotal showdown in the ongoing Venezuelan political crisis.
Original Source: www.news-graphic.com
