Thirteen individuals seeking the Venezuelan presidency officially declare their bids for office
Mexico City, Mexico, March 26, 2024 (our website)
Welcome to the political rollercoaster ride that is modern-day Venezuela! The country has taken another twist, with the electoral authority accepting 13 candidates for the upcoming election, including the unexpected last-minute registration of Zulia governor Manuel Rosales, throwing the opposition for a loop.
Nicolás Maduro, the current incumbent, expressed his excitement at his candidacy, stating that "numerous Venezuelans, 4.5 million and counting, stood up to nominate this common man, this man from Caracas, this barrio boy, as a contender for the Presidency of our Republic."
The president's candidacy was ratified by the United Socialist Party and was backed by several pro-government parties. However, there's a storm brewing as the electoral council needs to check each candidate to ensure they adhere to the country's legal requirements.
The arrival of Manuel Rosales came as a shock, as his party initially support María Corina Machado, who was controversially disqualified from running. Machado pressed ahead despite the Supreme Court upholding her 15-year ban from public office.
As pressure mounted from within her coalition, Machado initially refused to name a replacement. Finally, she acquiesced and tapped little-known 80-year-old academic Corina Yoris as her surrogate. However, Yoris failed to register in time, leaving Edmundo González Urrutia to be registered at the last minute.
Machado dubbed Rosales' decision to run as "treachery" but Rosales argued that he had always respected the process set out by the Unitary Platform. According to reports, Rosales claimed he would lead "the largest vote rebellion" in Venezuelan history and spectacularly announce "the beginning of a transition" for the country.
This chaotic election season has left the opposition in a tight spot, with the Unitary Platform facing a difficult decision: whether to back Rosales or risk fracturing the opposition vote further. The opposition now finds itself in an unenviable position, with 12 out of the 13 candidates hailing from the opposition.
A few hopefuls, such as Antonio Ecarri, Benjamin Rausseo, and Javier Bertucci, are actively positioning themselves as potential third candidates. Ecarri, for example, came a close second in the 2021 Caracas mayoral elections, while Rausseo, a comedian and businessman, enjoys a decent public profile.
The other candidates, all male, are: Luis Eduardo Martínez, Juan Carlos Alvarado, Daniel Ceballos, José Brito, Claudio Fermín, Luis Ratti, and Enrique Márquez.
Venezuela remains a country torn apart by political tension, human rights abuses, and a lingering economic crisis. The 2024 election will undoubtedly add another chapter to this complex, evolving story.
Edited and with additional reporting by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.
Caveat: The electoral situation in Venezuela is fluid, and there may be discrepancies between the current situation and the information presented in this article. It's always a good idea to stay on top of the latest developments by checking reputable news sources or contacting experts in the field.
In the midst of the political turmoil in Venezuela, the unexpected last-minute registration of Zulia governor Manuel Rosales has added a new layer to the already complex election landscape. This decision, considered by some as 'treachery', has plunged the opposition into a challenging predicament, as they grapple with the decision of whether to back Rosales or risk further fragmenting the opposition vote. The election, scheduled for 2024, is accompanied by intense scrutiny from the general public, policy-and-legislation makers, and international observers regarding migration, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and human rights issues. The fluid electoral situation in Venezuela, marked by constant changes and controversies, underscores the importance of staying informed through credible sources such as the general news and experts in the field.
