Venezuela Heads to Crucial Presidential Elections Amid Widespread Crisis
President Nicolás Maduro, who has held power since 2013, faces a tough re-election campaign in July 2024 as the country navigates a critical stage of political and economic turmoil.
Election Controversies
Maduro, 61, is seeking a third six-year term and has framed the election as a choice between "peace and war." He claims that an opposition victory would lead to a "bloodbath." His main rival, Edmundo González Urrutia, represents opposition leader María Corina Machado, who is barred from running due to political disqualification. González promises "reconciliation" and the return of millions of migrants who fled the economic and humanitarian crisis.
Deepening Crisis
Venezuela, once one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America, is now mired in crisis. Oil production has plummeted, GDP has shrunk by 80% in 10 years, and hyperinflation has led to partial dollarization of the economy. The country’s health and education systems are in total ruin, and over seven million Venezuelans have fled in the past decade.
US Sanctions and International Condemnation
The United States imposed sanctions on Venezuela in 2019 after Maduro’s re-election in 2018, which was deemed fraudulent. The US remains a central player in the Venezuelan situation, and the International Criminal Court has opened an investigation into crimes against humanity against the Venezuelan government for the repression of protests in 2017, which left hundreds dead. The United States is also offering a $15 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture.
Opposition Challenges
González Urrutia has asked the military to "respect and ensure respect" for the result, while Machado and González speak of a change towards "freedom" and a market-oriented economic system. Maduro, on the other hand, refers to "transformations." The opposition faces challenges, including disqualifications, repression, and fear of electoral process manipulation.
Election Day Imbroglio
The country’s electoral roll has over 30 million registered voters, but only an estimated 17 million who remain in Venezuela could vote. The election process will be closely watched, as the security apparatus, which has long been the government’s main support, may be a key factor in the outcome.
