Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday became the official party candidate for July's long-awaited presidential election, allowing him to take office for a third consecutive term with no real competition at hand.
In a move not unusual for Venezuela, Maduro's main opponent María Colina Machado, who won a landslide victory with over 90% of the votes in the opposition coalition's primary election, has been disqualified from holding public office for 15 years by Venezuelan authorities. The election has been controversial ever since.
AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix, File)
At a party rally in Caracas, President Maduro said, “We have the support of the people,'' and accepted the nomination as the ruling United Socialist Party's candidate for the July 28 presidential election. The party said its decision was supported by more than 4 million members who chose candidates last week.
“Humans alone cannot be here. I am here for the people,” Maduro said. “The candidate here is not Maduro. The candidate here is the people.”
Maduro, President Hugo Chávez's handpicked successor, came to power in March 2013 after Chávez's death, but his earthy charm won him millions of affection and votes. . If he wins another term, Maduro will remain at the helm of Venezuela's government until 2031.
under his rule, Venezuela is in a deep economic crisis, which has been exacerbated by US sanctions.The crisis has displaced millions of people Immigrate from a South American countrymany are now heading to the United States.
The US government lifted some sanctions on Venezuela's oil, gas and mining sectors last year after President Maduro agreed with the opposition to work towards electoral conditions that allow for a level playing field. .
But the Biden administration ended part of the relief package after Venezuela's high court upheld the ban on Machado. It also threatened to withdraw additional relief measures if Maduro's government continues to defy the deal.
The deadline to register as a candidate is March 25, but Machado has so far insisted he will continue to serve “until the end” but has not said how he will avoid being barred from holding office.
In recent days, a coalition of opposition parties has questioned the electoral process and called for “respect for the law”.
Other opposition figures were also disqualified, including two-time presidential candidate Enrique Capriles, who withdrew his participation before the primary election.
Capriles is one of a growing number of opposition and foreign leaders calling on Machado to step down so voters can rally behind an alternative. This week urged Machado to be “realistic” as he moves forward.
“They believe this is another election, another campaign, and they can run us over and trick us. We're going to shut up and keep our heads down. They don't understand anything,” Machado said. I haven't,” he told supporters. some gatherings.
