The United Socialist Party (PSUV) held a rally on Saturday in Guanare, Portugal. (@partidoPSUV)
Caracas, May 18, 2024 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced his election team and strategy for his re-election on July 28.
At a press conference on Thursday, President Maduro appointed National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez as election campaign coordinator.
The Coordination Committee will be flanked by Vice President Diosdado Cabello of the Socialist Party (PSUV), Miranda Governor Hector Rodríguez, former Lara Governor Luis Reyes, Capital Region Mayor Nahum Fernández, and First Lady Cilia Flores.
“We have taken an important step to protect our country from the threats we face, to maintain the progress we have made and to win the battle of July 28,” the Venezuelan president told reporters.
President Maduro went on to explain the various priorities of the campaign, dubbed “Our Venezuela” (“Venezuela Nuestra”), which focuses specifically on building national unity.
“Our campaign must mobilize and persuade people in our barrios and neighborhoods,” he added. “Let’s increase mobilization!”
Maduro was first elected in 2013 in a close race against opposition candidate Enrique Capriles, and was re-elected in 2018 with Henri Falcón as his main candidate. He is currently seeking a third term, ending in 2030.
Before the official campaign was announced, the PSUV was already holding large rallies across the country in support of Maduro and denouncing unilateral U.S. sanctions. Diosdado Cabello, who has led most of the mobilizations, told a crowd in La Victoria (Aragua state) on Saturday that Maduro was “the people's candidate” and “did not show weakness in the fight against imperialism.” ” he said.
Campaign Director Rodríguez also led a march in Guanare (Portuguese province) on Saturday. “Our fight is to support Maduro and tell the people.” gringo “To remove their claws from our country,” he said. I have written X/on Twitter.
Mr. Rodríguez recently argued that Venezuelan election officials should withdraw their request for the European Union to send observers to the July 28 election. The Speaker pointed to the EU's policy of maintaining unilateral sanctions against Caribbean countries.
At a press conference on Wednesday, center-right candidate Antonio Ecari criticized plans to withdraw the EU invitation, calling it a “move to encourage abstention.”
In a separate interview, Ekari expressed confidence in the prospects of the election, calling abstentions his “biggest enemy”. The former Caracas mayoral candidate presented a plan centered on strengthening conditions for private capital with policies such as dollarization.
Mr. Ekali is one of nine candidates running against Mr. Maduro in the presidential election. Benjamin Rauseo, another political newcomer seeking to influence undecided voters, has similarly stepped up his campaign in recent days.
Comedian and businessman Rauseo urged fellow candidates to subscribe to a document pledging to campaign respectfully and accept the results.
Edmundo Gonzalez made his first public appearance Saturday at a rally in La Victoria. González was selected in July by the U.S.-backed Unity Platform to run for Venezuela's highest office.
In recent weeks, the former diplomat has only attended press conferences and closed-door meetings while far-right politician María Colina Machado has held outdoor rallies with posters of herself on display. González's absence had fueled criticism and speculation about his health.
“Today we face a historic crossroads,” the opposition candidate told supporters. “This is a decisive process to reduce migration and make Venezuela a reliable partner.”
Machado, who has publicly supported sanctions and the coup attempt, has vowed to pursue a presidential bid despite the Supreme Court upholding his disqualification on corruption charges and for endangering Venezuelan assets abroad. was. She later relented and supported González.
The hardline opposition camp was recently rocked by revelations that Machado received US$3.2 million from US lobbying firm Howard Stark Holdings (HSH) to fund his primary campaign.
A report published by Venezuela News features documents leaked by journalist Patricia Lelis, including a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between HSH and Machado, and a close ally of Machado. It included an email confirming $3.2 million in funding from Pedro Urzultu. HSH reportedly has close ties to former Attorney General William Barr.
Lelis similarly disclosed meetings between hard-line opposition figures and Chevron representatives, and analysts say Machado promised the U.S. oil giant more profits in Venezuela's oil industry. I guessed that it was.
Lelis, a Brazilian journalist, claimed that she was forced out of her job in Washington, D.C., because of her left-wing views and her investigation into U.S. influence in Latin American politics. She is currently seeking asylum in Mexico, accusing the FBI of persecution and death threats.
