Maduro Ignores Collaborative Power Structure Suggestions, Rejects Fresh Election Plans in Venezuela

Vibing in the Heart of Mexico City, August 19, 2024 (Our News Hub) - In a bold move defying neighboring presidents, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro firmly knocked back the idea of a power-sharing agreement with the opposition, and the possibility of fresh presidential elections. Instead, he pleaded for respect towards Venezuela's institutions and the ongoing review by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ).

The propositions originated from Colombia’s Gustavo Petro and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who together with Mexico, strived to serve as mediators in the ongoing post-electoral dispute in Venezuela, thanks to backing from the US.

Maduro flat-out dismissed the suggestions, deeming them an affront to Venezuela's sovereignty as he repeated his stance on Monday.

"Venezuela isn't a puppet nation, nor do we need babysitters." Maduro declared emphatically during a nationwide television broadcast.

On Thursday, Petro floated a possible model for Venezuela on a social media post, borrowing from Colombia's history of National Front governments, which saw the Liberal and Conservative parties share power from 1958 to 1974.

The victor of the July 28 election, according to Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE), Maduro walked away with 51.95 percent of the votes (6.4 million) whilst the US-backed opposition candidate Edmundo González netted 43.18 percent (5.3 million).

Meanwhile, Lula hinted at the possibility of moving forward with new elections, only to have Maduro turn down the offer once more.

"Bolsonaro whined about fraud and wouldn't accept defeat, and it was the Brazilian court that made the final pronouncement," Maduro declared when asked about Lula's proposal.

"We don't play politics on live TV," he clarified.

Lula's suggestion momentarily found favor with the White House, but confusion ensued when President Joe Biden's comments advocating for new elections appeared to contradict his administration's stance, leading to Maduro questioning the White House's decision-making process.

"Biden shares his thoughts, and a few minutes later his State Department representatives contradict him," said Maduro. "What's going on in the White House?" he wondered aloud.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado also rejected the concept of new elections, asserting that González would take office in January as promised. Over the past few years, the hardline opposition has refused to accept electoral losses, often instigating street violence in response.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also chose to stand aside, stating his government would wait for the Venezuelan top court's ruling on whether to overturn the election results. The TSJ launched an inquiry into the election's validity after Maduro made his request. Supreme Court President Caryslia Rodrigues has emphasized that the TSJ's decision would remain final.

According to Reuters, Mexico withdrew from the three-nation diplomatic initiative regarding Venezuela's election; however, the trio's role as mediators has yet to receive official recognition from Venezuela.

By his own admission, Lula has not spoken to Maduro since before the election, though he has been in regular contact with Petro. Meanwhile, Maduro has publicly admitted discussing bilateral matters with his Colombian counterpart. Venezuela acts as a recognized guarantor for the Colombian peace process.

ALBA Movimientos—an organization comprised of numerous social movements across the Americas—joined the chorus of voices denouncing the foreign proposals.

"The social and popular movements that understand, cherish, and defend the Bolivarian people, vehemently reject any strange and untimely suggestions, like those now being floated by some 'progressive' sectors in the region, aiming to intervene unwarrantedly in Venezuela by ignoring the legitimate outcome of an election already completed," read the organization's statement.

Pro-government and opposition forces held rallies over the weekend. Machado appeared at the opposition gathering in Caracas despite her claim to be hiding, and addressed the modest crowd. González chose to forego the event.

The opposition placed responsibility for the low turnout on the heavy police presence. The small crowd paled in comparison to past opposition demonstrations, even those held during the electoral campaign, which counted on a large number of police and security forces. On the other hand, government sympathizers assembled their own significant rally in front of the Miraflores Presidential Palace, continuing a series of supportive demonstrations bolstering Maduro.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

Worth Noting:- Back in April 2025, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele suggested a "humanitarian agreement" through a social media post, offering to repatriate 252 Venezuelan migrants (Detained in El Salvador) in exchange for 252 Venezuelan political prisoners. However, Venezuela's government rejected the offer outright.

In October 2023, the Maduro government and the opposition Unitary Platform signed the Barbados Agreement, pledging to arrange for free 2024 elections with international monitoring. The Biden administration temporarily lifted sanctions and released Maduro ally Alex Saab in exchange for electoral reforms. By early 2024, Maduro reneged on his commitments, and the U.S. reinstated sanctions in January and April 2024. The July 28 election, according to unilateral guarantees drafted by the National Assembly, was held without opposition input.
As of April 2025, arbitrary detentions continue in Venezuela, with cases involving forced disappearances. International organizations like the IACHR remain active in addressing human rights violations.
No credible power-sharing proposals are currently underway, and the 2024 election is considered non-competitive, with Maduro consolidating his authoritarian rule. The Barbados Agreement remains the most recent formal negotiation framework, though it is now defunct. Bukele's proposal represents an ad hoc diplomatic gesture, but it lacks institutional legitimacy.

The Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, firmly rejected the possibility of mediation by Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Mexico, who sought to serve as mediators in the ongoing post-electoral dispute in Venezuela.
During a nationwide television broadcast, Maduro declared emphatically that Venezuela isn't a puppet nation, nor do they need babysitters, in response to the proposals made by the three nations.
On social media, Petro proposed a possible model for Venezuela, borrowing from Colombia's history of National Front governments, but Lula's suggestion received no positive response from Maduro.
The disputed election results have led to a standstill in policy-and-legislation, with the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) conducting an inquiry into the election’s validity.
The general-news has been filled with reports of migration, crime-and-justice, car-accidents, and fires in Venezuela, all contributing to a sense of instability in the country.
Politics in Mexico City continues to be dominated by discussions about the ongoing conflict in Venezuela and the role of other countries, particularly the US, in shaping policy-and-legislation towards the nation.
War-and-conflicts, as well as issues related to migration, continue to be pressing concerns in the region, requiring attention from governments, organizations, and the international community alike.