“This is an unusual campaign, I have no plans to tour the country because it is a unique campaign. Maria Corina Machado is leading it and she is doing an excellent job.” Without wasting any time, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia took advantage of his first few days as a presidential candidate for the democratic opposition in the upcoming July 28 elections to introduce himself to the nation. He has become the new beacon of hope and a prominent figure in the long-awaited transition. Meanwhile, Machado embarked on a journey to visit various municipalities in the province of Portuguesa.
This province, which was previously dominated by Chavismo but now represents the devastated state of Venezuela under the failed revolution, showed overwhelming support for the opposition leader in a way not seen in the country for the past two decades.
Amidst thousands of supporters, Machado took to an improvised stage to proudly display Edmundo’s poster with the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), one of the three parties backing his candidacy. She passionately declared, “Once again, we have surprised them by fielding a registered candidate, none other than Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the candidate of all Venezuelans. Let’s be clear about this: we are entering a territory filled with deceit and fraud. There is no turning back! We will emerge victorious and we will make them pay,” as the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Machado’s tour included stops in Chabasquén, Guanarito, and Biscucuy, reaffirming that the political movement she leads, unprecedented since the rise of Hugo Chávez, originated in the most severely affected areas of the country. From the Llanos to the Andes, from the border to the east, their message resonated and gained support even in the most impoverished neighborhoods of Caracas and other major cities.
The tour left indelible images in the history of these pivotal elections, which the regime can only win through fraudulent means. One banner in vivid colors displayed the map of the suffering country with the words, “We will meet again, as a family.” A young boy wrote on a piece of paper, “I was born in socialism and I long for freedom,” conveying his hopes for change to the person he has pinned his aspirations on.
“This government is worthless. They now only have classes three times a week, and sometimes even cancel them due to lack of water, electricity, and basic supplies in our homes. We believe in you, María Corina. I am a mother, and last January I had to leave because I couldn’t even find rice or meat to feed my family. My mother is currently in Colombia because of this government… (and then she abruptly pauses). Damn this government,” passionately expressed a 16-year-old girl in the front row, to whom Machado gave the microphone to amplify the reality faced by these people.
More than 8.5 million Venezuelans have fled their homeland during the period of revolution.
Faced with these developments, Chavismo intensified its smear campaign against both the candidate and the opposition leader, resorting to illegal phone recordings from a decade ago and a barrage of insults. Machado has already been labeled as “the lady” and “the Sayona,” the latter being a legend originating from the Venezuelan Llanos, represented by a woman who haunts the nights with her cries.
Diosdado Cabello, the second-in-command of the revolution, has come up with a new attack against Gonzalez, unleashing threats and insults from his television pulpit, resembling an updated and foul-mouthed version of a Chavista tormentor. Cabello rallied his followers by exclaiming, “The candidate Inmundo Gonzalez was anointed by the Empire.”
“There is an invisible force that is exerting pressure within the power structure. As long as the opposition maintains unity, this force will only grow, taking the conflict to unprecedented levels. If there is any chance for change, it lies there,” commented political analyst Félix Seijas.
Rafael Uzcátegui, a sociologist and human rights defender, summarized the key factors behind this political phenomenon sweeping the nation: “It wasn’t just about incentives. It was also the synergy between political leadership and consensus-building mechanisms, the people’s hope for change, and the pressure exerted by the international community.
In the latest survey conducted by More Consulting, the candidate endorsed by Machado is projected to double Maduro’s votes, with the latter barely reaching above 20% nationwide. This represents a significant hurdle in a country where 80% of Venezuelans yearn for immediate change.