Opposition candidate and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado is expected to achieve a significant victory in any future Venezuelan elections, according to her party and international observers. Despite the oppressive regime of Nicolas Maduro, recent claims suggest that Machado could secure an overwhelming majority if elections were held under fair conditions.
In a recent interview, opposition spokesman Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli highlighted the will of the Venezuelan people, stating that even during the manipulated elections of 2024, the opposition candidate Edmundo González garnered an impressive 67% of the vote, compared to Maduro’s 30%. This information stems from vote printouts obtained by the opposition, despite being denied by Maduro’s regime. Urruchurtu Noselli asserted, “Even with unfair conditions, intimidation and repression, we were able to show the magnitude of our victory.”
Machado’s political journey took a significant turn when she won her party’s primary in October 2023 with an overwhelming 93% of the vote, only to be barred from running by Maduro. Urruchurtu Noselli emphasized that both Machado and González represent the only “legitimate and trusted leadership” capable of guiding Venezuela through a meaningful political transition.
International Perspectives on Venezuelan Elections
The legitimacy of recent elections has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State, who labeled them “illegitimate” during an interview. This sentiment is echoed by many within the opposition, who recognize the pervasive influence of Maduro on the electoral process.
As political dynamics shift, the Biden administration has opted to engage with Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s vice president, who was recently sworn in as interim president. This decision reflects a strategy to stabilize the situation in Venezuela while maintaining pressure for democratic reforms. A senior White House official indicated a belief that Rodriguez might be more amenable to working with the United States, particularly following the recent arrest of Maduro.
Despite this cautious optimism, Urruchurtu Noselli cautioned against placing faith in Rodriguez’s willingness to reform. He pointed out that she has already directed police to arrest individuals who expressed joy at Maduro’s capture. This, he argued, underscores the regime’s continued repression, leading him to question the potential for democratic reforms under her leadership.
The Call for Change and the Path Forward
Should Rodriguez agree to hold new elections, Carlos Paparoni, a former deputy of the National Assembly of Venezuela, expressed confidence that the opposition would secure a decisive victory. “With complete seriousness and responsibility, I tell you that there is no human way that Maria Corina can lose an election in Venezuela today,” he stated. Observers believe that if a free and fair election were to occur, Machado could win by as much as a 50-point margin.
Experts on Venezuelan politics, both within and outside the opposition, are skeptical about Rodriguez’s commitment to facilitating a democratic process. Eva Golinger, a New York attorney specializing in Venezuelan affairs, stated that the conditions necessary for a legitimate election remain distant. She noted that while international analysts discuss Venezuela’s potential transition, the status quo persists, with many of Maduro’s allies still holding power.
Urruchurtu Noselli further emphasized that any credible transition must start with the immediate release of political prisoners and an end to state repression. “The first signal must be freedom—freedom of expression, freedom for political prisoners, respect for human rights,” he stated. “Without that, there is no democracy.”
In light of these challenges, the opposition continues to express gratitude toward Donald Trump for his firm stance against Maduro’s regime. Urruchurtu Noselli described Maduro’s detention as “a huge victory for the Venezuelan people” and a crucial step toward liberation. Yet, he warned that true liberation will only come when the entire criminal structure associated with the Maduro regime is dismantled, allowing legitimate leadership to take office.
As the opposition prepares for the possibility of governing, they remain steadfast in their readiness to implement reforms and collaborate closely with the United States. Urruchurtu Noselli stated, “We are ready to take power. We are ready to implement reforms. We are ready to work with President Trump.” The path forward for Venezuela remains fraught with complexities, but the opposition insists that the will of the people must ultimately prevail.
