The presidential candidate for Venezuela's main opposition coalition sought to create an atmosphere of hope and possibility at a massive rally marking the start of a campaign he clearly never imagined he would lead.
LA VICTORIA, Venezuela — The presidential candidate for Venezuela's main opposition coalition will try to create a mood of hope and possibility Saturday with a massive rally marking the beginning of a campaign he clearly never imagined he would lead. And so.
Edmundo González Urrutia, a former diplomat chosen by the coalition to replace fiery leader María Colina Machado, invited thousands of his supporters to gather in his hometown of La Victoria community. He envisions a country where public services are not a luxury, where people are not imprisoned for their political beliefs, and where the millions of people who have emigrated over the past decade in search of better economic opportunities return. I urged them to do so.
“I guarantee a peaceful transition in which all political forces can exercise their constitutional rights,” González told the crowd of retirees, young people, capital residents and locals who had come to see him. stated. A once prosperous industrial area.
Machado, who was barred from running in the July 28 election by President Nicolas Maduro's government, also joined him on stage. The crowd cheered for both. Street vendors sold T-shirts and baseball caps advertising the couple for $10. Venezuelan flags were also on sale.
González is the third candidate independently endorsed by the United Platform opposition coalition this year.
Machado, a former lawmaker, easily won the presidential primary in October and entered 2024 as the group's candidate, but in January the Supreme Court, loyal to Venezuela's ruling party, issued an administrative decision to expel her from public office. Admitted. She appointed former academic Corinna Joris to replace her in March, but she was also barred from the vote. Four days later, the coalition elected González.
Maria Contreras, 75, of La Victoria state, arrived four and a half hours early for Saturday's rally, just as it was scheduled to be held. She waved at acquaintances who slowly began arriving, mostly on foot, to get a glimpse of Machado and González's mother, who was Contreras' fourth-grade teacher.
“We will get it done! I believe in God and every day I get on my knees and ask Him to bring back my grandchildren and children,” said Contreras, a former secretary. “I came here alone and hungry. It's horrible what happened to this community.”
Contreras said he cleans houses in exchange for food. With her $3 monthly pension, she can't even buy a kilogram of cheese or a liter bottle of cooking oil.
Mr. Gonzalez began his career in the late 1970s as an aide to the Venezuelan ambassador to the United States. He has been posted to Belgium and El Salvador, and served as Algerian ambassador to Caracas.
His last post was as ambassador to Argentina during the first years of President Hugo Chavez, who took power in 1999. Chávez transformed Venezuela with socialist policies, including nationalizing industries and instituting welfare programs. President Chávez handpicked Maduro to be his successor before dying of cancer in 2013.
Most recently, González worked as an international relations consultant and wrote historical works on Venezuela during World War II.
President Maduro is seeking a third term in July. His presidential term was marked by a complex crisis that pushed millions into poverty and displaced more than 7.7 million people.
Many of those who gathered in La Victoria on Thursday loudly rejected the president.
“I don't need a bag!” some chanted, referring to the bags of food distributed by the government to citizens. “All I want is for Nicholas to leave!”
