CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela is poised for the inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro on Friday, despite widespread skepticism regarding the legitimacy of the election results from last year. The event, organized by the congress dominated by Maduro’s party, will see the president commence his third consecutive six-year term. However, it remains uncertain whether there will be demonstrations from the millions who supported his primary rival, Edmundo González, who left Venezuela for Spain after claiming victory in the July 28 election but now faces an arrest warrant.
Maduro’s inauguration will allow him to solidify a blend of policies aimed at addressing the severe shortages and hyperinflation that plagued his administration for much of his 11-year tenure. Still, critics argue these actions have strayed from promised socialist ideals and further eroded democratic structures in Venezuela. González has indicated plans to return to Caracas for the swearing-in, though he has not detailed his approach or objectives upon his arrival.
The skepticism around Maduro’s upcoming swearing-in primarily arises from the opaque handling of the election results. The National Electoral Council, heavily biased toward the ruling party, proclaimed Maduro as the victor shortly after polls closed. Unlike in prior elections, voters were not given comprehensive vote counts due to an alleged cyberattack on electoral systems. Contrarily, opposition groups managed to gather data from 80% of the electronic voting machines, revealing that González likely garnered double the votes of Maduro.
This prompted international concern over the electoral process, leading Maduro to request an investigation by the high court, also aligned with his party. This court upheld the election results without presenting substantial evidence and encouraged the electoral council to disclose vote counts, which they never did. A monitoring team from the U.S.-based Carter Center, invited by Maduro, has recognized the opposition’s tally sheets as authentic, adding to the doubts about the electoral process.
As for protests, the government often orchestrates demonstrations to show public support, especially on significant occasions such as the inauguration day. Maduro has urged citizens to rally, but it’s unclear how many participants genuinely support him since public sector employees and those receiving government benefits are frequently pressured to attend. The potential for protests against Maduro remains speculative, given the regime’s repressive measures following the elections, which included mass arrests that have stifled dissent.
Prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado has called for support to protest across the nation the day before the inauguration, emphasizing the need for citizens to express their demand for change. She has vowed to join the demonstrations, despite having to remain hidden from authorities to evade arrest. Meanwhile, González continues to stay abroad, with many opposition figures who previously campaigned with him now imprisoned.
Attendance at the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be limited to members of the National Assembly, ministers, and Maduro’s closest allies, with no word yet from the government on specifics regarding foreign dignitaries. Given the precarious situation following the elections, attendance from world leaders is anticipated to be minimal. Nations like Colombia and Brazil, which had once maintained cordial relations with Maduro, have expressed criticisms and will only send representatives to the event rather than their presidents, contrasting with previous inaugurations that had significant international presence.
As Maduro embarks on his next term, the nation continues to grapple with lingering crises despite the alleviation of food shortages and hyperinflation. On the ground, average citizens now face a dire monthly minimum wage under $2, inflated food prices, inconsistent fuel supplies, and inadequate educational services. In contrast, a small privileged demographic connected to Maduro enjoys affluent lifestyles, illustrating the widening inequality in the country, contrary to the socialist principles touted by Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chávez.
The oil-dependent economy is struggling amidst corruption, economic sanctions, mismanagement, and diminished crude production. Prior to the election, numerous voters expressed intentions to emigrate should Maduro retain power, reflecting a significant migration crisis that has already seen over 7.7 million Venezuelans leave in search of improved living circumstances abroad.
