Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her coalition’s candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, have commanded enthusiastic crowds during their campaign to defeat President Nicolás Maduro and end 25 years of Chavismo.
However, uncertainty remains over how Sunday’s election will play out when Maduro –whose 2018 re-election is considered fraudulent by the United States, among other countries, is seeking a third term.
Gonzalez has attracted significant support, including from former supporters of the ruling party, But the opposition and some observers have questioned if the vote would be cleandue to obstacles caused by decisions of electoral authorities and the arrests of opponents.
Gonzalez and Machado have urged voters to cast their ballots early and hold “vigils” at polling stations until they close. They have said that they hope that the armed forces confirm the results of the vote.
The military has long supported Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez. Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino said this week that the armed forces will respect the outcome of Sunday’s election.
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013 and is seeking his third six-year term, has said the country has the most transparent electoral system in the world and warned of a “bloodbath” if he loses.
During Maduro’s 61-year government, There has been an economic collapse and the migration of approximately one third of the population. Maduro claims that the economic deterioration is due to sanctions imposed by the United States.
“We want a political and economic change so that there is more employment, which is what is most necessary”said Nelson Bolívar, a 50-year-old ice cream vendor who was at the opposition rally on Thursday.
He added that his sales have dropped by 40%, but he has done well at opposition events. “Wherever there is opposition, I will sell ice cream,” he said, noting that he will vote for González.
Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat, is known for his calm demeanor and his promises that change could bring home many immigrants.
He inherited the support of Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer, a very popular opposition leader who was confirmed in January a ban from holding public office following his victory in opposition primaries last October.
Maduro, a former bus driver and former foreign minister, whose face will appear on the ballots of 13 parties, He has said that he will guarantee peace and economic growth that will make Venezuela a powerful country.
According to analysts, public spending in the campaign has grown timidly compared to other elections. Maduro said he would inaugurate 70 works, many of which have been school renovations, hospitals and roads that already existed, according to broadcasts on state television.
Thousands of people arrived in hundreds of buses for Maduro’s closing rally in central Caracas on Thursday, including many public sector employees.
Unlike some of the people around her, retired teacher Noris Rojas, 70, was not wearing a new Maduro T-shirt. Instead, He held a worn, homemade poster of Chavez, with a quote from the late president: “Nobody said this would be easy.”
“Maduro is a man who has demonstrated spiritual strength and has been loyal to Chavez’s project,” “There are weaknesses, but he has to win, because it is an opportunity to correct part of the economic and social situation and it is a project that is not done in a day,” he added.
Maduro’s bloodbath comment It drew criticism from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvawhile Brazil’s electoral court and former Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said Wednesday they had withdrawn from acting as electoral observers. The United States said it expects a fair vote, free of repression.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab This week he denied having participated in political persecution or holding political prisoners. and said the elections would be peaceful.
The results could be published on Sunday evening. Polls at more than 15,000 polling stations across the country will be open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. and at least 21 million people are registered to vote.
