2023-10-22 17:01:46
Supporters of the main Venezuelan opposition parties will vote this Sunday in primary elections that will produce a common candidate for the next presidential elections that will take place at the end of 2024.
13 leaders ran in this race, led from the beginning by María Corina Machado, leader of Vente Venezuela and one of the most recognizable figures of the opposition, both inside and outside the country. Machado remains on her list despite the fact that at the end of June the Comptroller General’s Office ordered her disqualification for 15 years due to her support for international sanctions and administrative irregularities, among other accusations.
Theoretically he cannot hold any public office, but in recent months his figure has been consolidated and he has even achieved the support of other candidates such as Freddy Superlano, who last week withdrew his candidacy in an appearance alongside Machado.
Superlano represented Voluntad Popular, a party made up of, among others, Leopoldo López and Juan Guaidó, who in January 2019 proclaimed himself ‘interim president’ of Venezuela with the endorsement of more than fifty countries.
Minute by minute
11:40 am After exercising his vote, Machado stated that he has prepared for years to lead a project of change. “We have prepared for this moment and the moment has arrived,” said the candidate, who stated that she was moved by images that she has received of citizens voting around the world.
“I have cried all morning with what is happening in the world, the people who traveled 10 hours to vote. “Venezuela is united,” she maintained.
11:00 am Candidate Machado thanks the message from former President Iván Duque, who described her as a “courageous woman” and with “strong democratic principles.” “Thank you, President Duque. We Venezuelans have fought very hard for this day. It is an exemplary civic exercise that unites each family and everyone as a Nation. Venezuela will be free,” she said.
10:45 am María Corina Machado, the favorite candidate, cast her vote in Caracas.
10:00 am Organizers of the primaries in Colombia gave a report of normality following the start of the day.
It was reported that in 10 cities in the country, Venezuelan citizens are already casting their votes at the 118 tables set up. Additionally, it was reported that they expect more than 54,000 people to participate in the primaries.
8:45 am National Primary Commission, organizing body of the elections, points out that 70% of the tables have already been installed in Venezuela.
8:15 am Election day begins in Bogotá and the rest of the country. There are 10 cities in which Venezuelans can cast their vote.
8:00 am Long lines of Venezuelans waiting to vote in Corferias, in Bogotá.
7:20 am: The members of the National Primary Commission, the organizing body of the elections, highlight massive participation in European cities such as Madrid, Lisbon and Paris. 74,381 voters are eligible in 22 voting centers.
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