Early results in the Venezuelan opposition’s presidential primary have given former lawmaker María Corina Machado a significant lead. Machado declared her candidacy to unseat Nicolás Maduro and terminate his ten-year, crisis-ridden government with great speed.
Machado, who entered the race as a clear front-runner, received around 93% of the first 601,110 votes tabulated, according to the independent National Primary Commission, which oversaw the voting. The remaining nine contenders shared the remaining votes. The number of voters was not disclosed, and organizers planned to provide more results throughout Monday.
Machado addressed supporters gathered outside her campaign offices in Caracas, the capital, saying, “Today, very powerful forces have been unleashed.”
“We have demonstrated to ourselves today what we are capable of doing in the face of all the challenges and abuses.”
To hold Venezuela’s first presidential primary since 2012, cooperation from the opposition’s profoundly divided members was necessary. In response, Venezuelans excitedly lined up for hours at polling places both inside and outside of their country, despite the intense heat and pouring rain.
But what they considered a massive democratic exercise can nevertheless turn out to be ineffective. Although the administration has already disqualified Machado from seeking public office, it has agreed in principle to allow the opposition to select its candidate for the 2024 presidential race.
Even before polls opened, hundreds of people flocked to voting locations spread around Caracas neighborhoods. They were drenched from the downpour, but they remained in line. In order to shorten the anticipated lines, they carried folding chairs, umbrellas, and coffee. They also sought cover by leaning against buildings or standing beneath marquees.
Stephanie Aguilar, 34, of Caracas, broke down in tears as she waited to cast her ballot. The primary, in her words, is the only “salvation” for her nation, her son and daughter, and the millions of Venezuelans who have fled their home country because of the political and economic unrest there.
The homemaker Aguilar wept and stated, “We want a better country, a free country, for my children… who have grown up in this government.”
We discovered that our server, which served as a transmission channel, was stopped once we started counting the results, which keeps us from finishing this operation on time, he stated.
“A disruption to internet connectivity in #Venezuela with high impact to Caracas,” according to figures posted by the London-based internet monitoring company NetBlocks. It further stated that there was “an issue with its energy backup system” according to a state-owned internet service provider.
The primary was a noteworthy accomplishment, according to David Smilde, a Tulane University expert on Venezuelan politics, for a number of reasons, including compelling opposition political figures and groups “to reach out and speak to the people.”
Additionally, it has greatly inspired and mobilized a populace that had previously been dubious of the opposition leadership.
It is anticipated that the presidential election would take place in the latter part of 2024. Maduro wants to stay in office until 2030, which would be longer than the period of time that his mentor Hugo Chávez presided over and instituted his socialist programs.