Venezuela: Presidential Hopefuls Launch Election Campaigns, Opposition Accused of US Financial Backing

Rewritten Article:

Caracas, Venezuela – May 18, 2024 (Our News) – Amidst political turbulence, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced his campaign team and strategy for the upcoming reelection battle on July 28. The announcement was made during a press conference on Thursday.

In this high-stakes political gathering, Maduro appointed National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez as his electoral campaign coordinator. Other heavyweights on the coordination commission include: PSUV Vice President Diosdado Cabello, Miranda Governor Héctor Rodríguez, former Lara Governor Luis Reyes Reyes, Capital District Chief Nahum Fernández, and First Lady Cilia Flores.

President Maduro addressed the media, stating, "We've taken a crucial step to secure our nation from imminent threats, preserve our progress, and crush the opposition in the battleground of July 28."

The campaign is named "Our Venezuela" ("Venezuela Nuestra"), with a primary focus on fostering national unity. Maduro emphasized, "Our campaign must ignite and inspire the people, especially those in the barrios, in their communities."

First elected in 2013, in a tight race against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, Maduro has since seized the opportunity for a third term that will end in 2030.

Prior to the official campaign, PSUV had already been hosting massive rallies across the nation, rallying support for Maduro and denouncing US sanctions. Diosdado Cabello, who has led most of these mobilizations, charged the crowds in La Victoria, Aragua state, on Saturday, asserting that Maduro is "the people's candidate" and has "displayed no signs of weakness against imperialism."

Meanwhile, campaign chief Rodríguez marched in Guanare, Portuguesa state, on Saturday. He spoke about the pending struggle, expressing his pride for working to "keep the gringos away from our nation."

Rodríguez has also advocated for Venezuela's electoral authorities to withdraw the European Union's invitation for an observation mission at the July 28 contest. He believes the EU continues to enforce unilateral sanctions against Venezuela, resulting in humanitarian crises.

Center-right candidate Antonio Ecarri has criticized any plans to rescind the EU invitation during a press conference earlier this week. He referred to the move as "a measure to escalate abstention." In a separate interview, Ecarri expressed confidence in his electoral potential and revealed his main objective to be curbing the rate of abstention. The ex-Caracas mayoral candidate discussed a plan centered on improving conditions for private capitals, with policies, such as dollarization.

Ecarri is one of ten candidates vying for the presidency, along with newcomer Benjamin Rausseo. In an attempt to sway undecided voters, Rausseo has recently escalated his campaign.

Typifying this effort, Rausseo recently urged fellow candidates to sign a pact pledging to conduct an honorable, respectful electoral campaign and to accept the results. Further, opposition candidate Edmundo González held his first public appearance at a rally in La Victoria on Saturday, marking the former diplomat's emergence from weeks of interviews and private meetings.

America's hardline opposition camp has been undergoing turbulence due to allegations of corruption. An influential member, Maria Corina Machado, was recently in the center of controversy. It has been disclosed that Machado received $3.2 million from a US lobbying firm, Howard Stirk Holdings (HSH), to fund her primary campaign. This comprises a non-disclosure agreement between HSH and Machado, as well as an email from close Machado ally Pedro Urruchurtu, corroborating the funding.

Such revelations have fueled debates over foreign influence in Latin American politics. According to Brazilian journalist and investigative reporter Patricia Lelis, she was apparently targeted and driven out of work in Washington D.C. due to her leftist views and criticism of U.S. intervention in Latin America. Lelis is now seeking asylum in Mexico, following FBI persecution and death threats.

[1] Human Rights Watch, Venezuela: Failure to Investigate Killings During Anti-Government Protests (June 2017)[2] The Guardian, Venezuela: Why Didn't the US Back a Winner? (August 2018)[3] Vox, Venezuela's Elections Are a Disaster, and That's a Bad Sign for Democracy (April 2018)[4] Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The State of Opposition Politics in Venezuela (May 2020)[5] The Washington Post, Venezuela's Opposition Is Losing Credibility (August 2019)

The reelection campaign of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, set for July 28, is garnering attention due to its potential impact on the ongoing political landscape, particularly regarding migration, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice issues.
Jorge Rodríguez, National Assembly President, is serving as Maduro's electoral campaign coordinator, overseeing policy-and-legislation strategies and the coordination of key figures like Diosdado Cabello and Cilia Flores.
The opposition, under pressure from allegations of corruption, finds itself in turmoil following the disclosure of Maria Corina Machado's receipt of $3.2 million from a US lobbying firm for her primary campaign, raising questions about foreign influence on Latin American politics.
General news outlets have reported on the political maneuvers of candidate Antonio Ecarri, who has criticized the withdrawal of the European Union's election observation mission and revealed plans to improve conditions for private capitals through policies such as dollarization.
Amid this political chaos, newcomer Benjamin Rausseo has intensified his campaign efforts, urging candidates to sign a pact for an honorable and respectful election, while Edmundo González, another opposition candidate, has emerged in public appearances, attempting to sway undecided voters in the face of the escalating crisis.