For the first time in many years, the Venezuelan opposition, unified behind one candidate, has a good chance of defeating President Nicolás Maduro. But the international community must help protect the integrity of July’s presidential election and guarantee a peaceful political transition if Maduro loses.
By Roberto Patiño* (Confidencial)
HAVANA TIMES – The upcoming presidential election in Venezuela, scheduled for July 28, is a critical moment for the country. If President Nicolás Maduro stays in power, and the political and economic situation remains unchanged, Venezuela’s migrant crisis – the world’s largest, with more than 7.7 million people displaced – will deepen, with significant repercussions for neighboring Latin American countries and the United States, where illegal border crossings have hit a record high.
But for the first time in many years, the Venezuelan opposition, which recently unified in an extraordinary display of strategic and organizational strength, has a good chance of defeating Maduro, after persevering in the face of government repression and interference. María Corina Machado, who decisively won the opposition-run primary in October, was banned from holding office based on accusations that she “supported US sanctions, had been involved in corruption, and had lost money for Venezuela’s foreign assets.” When her replacement was blocked from registering for the race, the opposition successfully coalesced around another candidate, former diplomat Edmundo González. Recent polls show González with a huge lead over Maduro.
The opposition’s determination to challenge an authoritarian regime at the ballot box serves as a powerful symbol of hope and sends a message of change and reconciliation. It also underscores the need for foreign support to help ensure a fair election and to guarantee a peaceful transfer of power if Maduro loses. The window for effective diplomatic action is closing rapidly, making concerted international action more urgent than ever.
At this pivotal moment, diplomacy could play a decisive role. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called on Maduro, his longtime ally, to hold a fair election, signaling his commitment to d