Ahead of the presidential election in July, Venezuela’s opposition is on the verge of collapse. Analysts consider this to be beneficial for President Nicolas Maduro.
The 61-year-old is seeking a third term that would see him in power for a total of 18 years.
Here’s what you need to know regarding Venezuela’s rapidly evolving political situation four months before the election:
What happened to the opposition?
After a resounding primary election victory in October last year, one figure emerged to unite the opposition: 56-year-old liberal politician Maria Corina Machado.
Nicknamed the “Iron Lady” by her supporters, she has long been a staunch opponent of “Chavismo” – the brand of populist leftist ideology left behind by Venezuela’s deceased president, Hugo Chavez.
However, Machado was banned from holding public office for 15 years by a court loyal to Maduro accused of corruption, a charge he rejected as fabricated. He also supports sanctions once morest Maduro’s government.
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He continued to campaign, but as the date to submit candidates to the national electoral board approached, Machado had to make a choice to avoid an unrepresented opposition.
At the last moment, he chooses 80-year-old university professor Corina Yoris as his successor, planning to continue fighting to replace her at the last minute.
However, when the deadline expired on Monday, the Democratic Union Platform (PUD) was unable to access the website to register Yoris.
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So who is running once morest Maduro?
Neither of these. Manuel Rosales, governor of the oil-rich province of Zulia and a member of the PUD coalition, managed to register at the last minute in what he said was a last-ditch effort to avoid the opposition being left out of the race.
He vowed to do “everything for unity” but faced criticism. Rosales was the chosen candidate because he was acceptable to Maduro, which he vehemently rejected.
“I’m afraid we will be without a presidential candidate and we will leave the field open for Maduro to stay in power for another six years,” Rosales said at a rally on Wednesday.
Also read: Venezuela Records First Monthly Inflation Decline in 17 Years
Yoris told Colombian radio station Blu that Rosales was a “Judas” and denounced his “betrayal.” Machado has remained silent regarding his candidacy.
After the deadline expired, the PUD managed to register the name of a little-known former ambassador, Edmundo Gonzalez Urruti, as an “interim” candidate whom Machado now hopes he can replace.
If he can’t, the opposition should unite behind one of Gonzalez or Rosales, with “maintaining unity as the best possible strategy,” said political analyst Yoel Lugo.
“The smart thing now is not the opposition’s civil war, which only benefits Nicolas Maduro’s candidacy,” said former elections chief Vicente Diaz.
Ten other candidates are registered, but are considered Maduro allies. (AFP/Z-3)
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