In the middle of a heavy rain that affected parts of Venezuela, the opposition officially kicked off its election campaign on Tuesday, aiming for the October 22 primaries and a joint program to confront Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 elections. The scene reflected a chorus of voices pressing forward, with early polls indicating a strong showing for far-right María Corina Machado and a slate of 13 candidates in the two-time presidential race. State disqualifications weighed on both sides and could overshadow a process that has drawn intense international attention. The shadow of an election preview and even suspensions hovered over the political stage. The first signals came from Diosdado Cabello, a top figure within the madurista faction.
National Primary Commission urged citizens, exhausted by crisis and discontent, to participate in this internal process. Opponents were asked to play fair. Campaigns should promote proposals through events and respectful discourse, with the belief that every vision is necessary for building a future for Venezuela. The commission forbade candidates from funding campaign activities with public funds, international donations to social programs, or funds from any illegal sources.
Without the backing of the National Electoral Council, the opposition, which had dispersed months earlier, sought to extend the primaries to the entire region. Voting could take place in October in 331 of 335 municipalities nationwide and in 80 cities across 31 countries. The opposition asked the CNE to facilitate new voter registration, noting a large number of eligible voters who are 18 and older.
Before entering the ring, the 13 candidates signed a document outlining the “common principles” that would apply if access to Miraflores Palace were achieved. The commitments included prioritizing human rights, restoring constitutional guarantees, releasing political prisoners, and reestablishing public order to protect the lives, property, and rights of citizens at home and abroad.
turbulence and stress
Even though the primaries are almost two months away, violence threatens to cast a shadow over the horizon in some cases. The National Primary Commission voiced its concerns about threats and events surrounding the process. Officials emphasized that activism and peaceful political campaigning should be the central, legitimate activities of civic life, and reminded that government actors are responsible for ensuring fair enforcement without undue restrictions.
Capriles and Machado condemned attacks during their journeys through the interior. One campaign stop in Apure state faced an attack by pro-government groups that left dozens injured. Delsa Solórzano reported receiving anonymous death threats via social networks. Maduro responded by expressing skepticism about the allegations, suggesting the events had echoes of a prior disruption in the region and drawing a parallel to a recent high-profile incident in another country. He described the situation as a montage by hostile actors while stressing the need for national unity and resilience.
IACHR alert
Maduro showed a cautious openness toward negotiations with opponents while resisting hardline positions. Talks involving regional powers and a potential solution to the internal conflict continued, even as tensions rose. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights criticized attacks on freedom of association after the involvement of humanitarian actors and political factions, highlighting strains within long-standing alliances.
Tensions show little sign of easing. Maduro blamed the former Caracas mayor for destabilizing actions and recalled his international outreach to quell dissent. A member of Machado’s international command was cited in efforts to address what authorities called a military uprising. The Attorney General sought extradition from Spain, while Maduro urged a vigilante-style response to safeguard peace, invoking memories of past political violence.
unresolved issues
Beyond the threats of hardening by the Miraflores Palace, several major issues remain unresolved. In November 2022, the government and opposition reached a deal in Mexico to establish a fund using resources frozen abroad to address a humanitarian emergency. That money, to be managed by the United Nations, remains still unclear in its status. Maduro has pushed again for lifting all international sanctions, and discussions at regional summits have floated gradual reductions in these measures as prerequisites for opposition participation in elections.