Maria Corina Machado, a popular opposition leader in Venezuela, faced numerous obstacles as she travelled from Caracas to Maracaibo to campaign for presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. Government forces blocked roads and gas stations mysteriously closed along her route, with efforts to deny poll monitors accreditation. Despite these challenges, Machado remains confident in the opposition’s ability to overcome the regime’s tactics and achieve victory in the upcoming presidential election.
Maduro, the incumbent socialist president, has struggled in the polls, trailing Gonzalez by wide margins. An opposition victory could potentially end nearly a quarter century of socialist rule in Venezuela. However, opposition leaders like Machado warn that Maduro will not go down without a fight and anticipate continued sabotage efforts from the government.
Machado, who was barred from the presidential race herself, now supports Gonzalez’s candidacy. The campaign has faced harassment and intimidation, with campaign vehicles vandalized, brake hoses cut, and staff members seeking refuge at the Argentinian embassy to avoid arrest. Despite these challenges, Machado has received unexpected support as Maduro’s popularity declines, including from former chavista motorcyclists who now protect her campaign.
Critics accuse the Maduro government of targeting low-level political workers and small business owners associated with the opposition, with arbitrary detentions and intimidation tactics on the rise. As the election nears, concerns about potential violence and electoral integrity have emerged, with voting centers closed, opposition news channels blocked, and the ballot skewed in Maduro’s favor.
The opposition remains hopeful for a landslide victory at the polls, despite the government’s efforts to undermine the democratic process. As Venezuela faces a critical turning point in its political history, the outcome of the election will determine the country’s future trajectory.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
