MADRID — On Tuesday, Venezuela’s political opposition indicated a readiness to adopt a more adaptable approach regarding the timeline for a government transition, moving away from its previous insistence that such a shift would occur next month with the start of a new presidential term.
This adjustment coincides with the ongoing exile of the faction’s presidential candidate from the July elections, Edmundo González, who resides in Spain, and the continued concealment of the opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, in Venezuela. Both leaders are taking these steps to evade potential arrest, with only a month remaining before the constitutional swearing-in ceremony in Venezuela.
The situation highlights the substantial hurdles the opposition coalition faces in fulfilling its commitment to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power. This comes even as numerous nations support the opposition’s claim to electoral victory and strongly criticize the government for alleged elections fraud.
“On January 10, the one truly under pressure is Maduro, not us,” Machado stated during a livestream event held in Madrid. The event drew attention to the severe repression faced by opponents of the ruling party since the July 28 election. Machado expressed uncertainty about when the anticipated transition might occur, remarking, “It could happen before, on January 10, or even after.”
While Machado refrained from providing specifics on what she termed the “terms of a negotiation” proposed by the opposition to the government, the coalition has persistently emphasized that a key focus remains the liberation of numerous individuals imprisoned for being perceived government adversaries.
The National Electoral Council of Venezuela, composed of Maduro loyalists, proclaimed him the election winner mere hours after ballots were cast. However, in a notable departure from previous elections, detailed voting figures were not disclosed by the electoral officials.
In contrast, the primary opposition coalition managed to collect results from 80% of the country’s electronic voting machines, making the figures public and asserting that González had gained double the votes compared to Maduro. The government has disregarded calls for increased transparency from the national and international community while the National Assembly, under ruling party control, extended an invitation to Maduro for his inauguration ceremony.
Following an arrest warrant related to the investigation of vote tally publishing, González departed Venezuela in September for Spain, while Machado has remained hidden for several months in an undisclosed location within Venezuela.
In recent statements to reporters, González expressed his willingness to return to Venezuela to take on the presidency. “I envision myself assuming the role for which I was elected by the majority of Venezuelans on July 28,” he stated, although he did not specify a timeline.
While several governments, including the United States, have formally recognized González as the legitimate election victor, the possibility of Maduro and his allies permitting his re-entry into Venezuela remains uncertain.
Following the elections, widespread anti-government demonstrations erupted across the nation, met with harsh repercussions from state security forces. Over 2,200 individuals were arrested, encompassing political figures, lawyers, election workers, volunteers, and both minor and adult protesters. Some family members of the detained attended the Madrid event, sharing accounts of the conditions those in custody are enduring.
The wave of arrests has instilled fear nationwide, prompting individuals to be overly cautious about their public statements and social media interactions. This environment has hampered the opposition’s ability to mobilize supporters, with no significant rallies occurring since August. Nonetheless, Machado sought to dispel concerns regarding the resolve of her movement, asserting that it continues to garner “more and more support” and framing the crackdown as a sign of a government “in a terminal state.”
“We were told that defeating the regime on July 28 was impossible, and yet we did,” she asserted. “Those who today seek to convince us that enforcing the election results cannot be achieved will be proven wrong once more. It is time to advance decisively.”
