In March, the Forum 2000 Foundation organized the ninth edition of the “Democratic Solidarity in Latin America” conference in Montevideo. Speakers made reference to the ways populist democratic governments often turn to authoritarian practices when they are in power. They mentioned the importance of strong independent institutions and discussed how to sustain democratic consensus. The Forum 2000 Foundation and members of Democratic Solidarity signed a letter requesting the Venezuelan government to comply with the Barbados Agreement on the Promotion of Political Rights and Electoral Guarantees for All (Barbados Agreement). The letter, sent to diplomatic delegations of the countries present at the signing of the agreement, calls for a fair electoral process to be guaranteed in the country. What do Democratic Solidarity Latin America (DSLA) members Christi Rangel Guerrero, David Aragort, and Pedro Urruchurtu think about the current situation in Venezuela?
Christi Rangel Guerrero
member of DSLA, Regional Coordinator at Transparencia Venezuela, Venezuela
David Aragort
member of DSLA, Co-Founder and Leadership Representative at Youth Liberty Congress, Venezuela
Pedro Urruchurtu
Member of DSLA, Coordinator of International Affairs at Vente Venezuela, Venezuela
Christi Rangel Guerrero
Member of DSLA, Regional Coordinator at Transparencia Venezuela, Venezuela
"The electoral process for Venezuela's presidency is riddled with irregularities. The disqualification of María Corina Machado could not be reverted although it was carried out outside of due process and constitutional provisions. In view of this fact, María Corina announced the candidacy of Corina Yoris on March 22, who met all the requirements of the law to be a candidate. Disinformation campaigns were immediately created by the regime with false arguments that prevented the candidacy of Corina Yoris. Efforts by the only opposition parties that make up the Unitary Platform (Un Nuevo Tiempo and MUD) to register Corina Yoris, before March 25, were unsuccessful, as they were unable to access the National Electoral Council online system. After negotiations with the government, the Un Nuevo Tiempo party was allowed access to register Manuel Rosales (current governor of the state of Zulia) and hours later MUD was allowed access to register Edmundo González Urrutia, who declares that he is a candidate willing to cede his place to the person who is accepted by the leaders of the Unitary Platform and by María Corina Machado. Meanwhile, the government has arrested eight leaders of the Vente Venezuela party and issued arrest warrants for seven other leaders. On the other hand, the National Assembly approved in first discussion the Law against Fascism, Neo-Fascism and Similar Expressions and a Law on Guyana Esequiva was passed, which provides for the prohibition of access to public office to persons who have been in favor of the government of Guyana in the territorial dispute. In short, the irregularities in the electoral calendar, the obstacles to the registration of candidates, the arbitrary arrests and persecution of political activists and civil organizations, the bills against fascism, as well as the current law against hate and media regulation, they define a context of bigger limitation of civic space and a hegemonic authoritarianism political system according to political science."
Comment issued on April 18
David Aragort
Member of DSLA, Co-Founder and Leadership Representative at Youth Liberty Congress, Venezuela
"In light of the recent developments in Venezuela, the situation surrounding the presidential elections represents a critical point for the already damaged democratic integrity of the country. It is notable that María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader, has faced governmental obstacles to participate in the elections after her victory in the opposition primaries, which contradicts the Barbados agreements on political rights and electoral guarantees. The actions of the Venezuelan government have hindered significant opposition participation in the electoral process. These include issues with registering Venezuelans abroad in the electoral registry and selective disruptions on the National Electoral Council's web platform that prevented the registration of Dr. Corina Yoris, appointed by Machado as her substitute for the elections. Such disruptions seem to favor the registration of candidates who might be more inclined to coexist with Nicolás Maduro's regime. Moreover, the political climate in Venezuela has worsened, with an increase in repression against journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists, including some figures associated with Machado's campaign. Legislative proposals such as the "Anti-Society Law," the "Law against Fascism," and discussions on constitutional amendments to introduce life imprisonment for "traitors to the homeland" and "corrupt officials" further exemplify the government's intent to suppress dissent and increase political persecution, as it has done in the past with the discretionary application of the unconstitutional "Law Against Hate." The assassination of the former military officer and political prisoner Ronald Ojeda allegedly ordered from Venezuela according to the Chilean prosecutor's office, shows that the regime's repressive tactics are reaching a transnational level, raising concerns about regional stability, the safety of dissidents abroad, and the violation of international norms. The international community must take decisive action to pressure the Venezuelan government and ensure that the upcoming elections are free, fair, and reflect the will of the Venezuelan people. The situation requires a concerted effort to uphold the principles of democratic solidarity, as outlined in the document signed by our members in Montevideo, to support Venezuelan democratic actors in these difficult times."
Comment issued on April 16
Pedro Urruchurtu
Member of DSLA, Coordinator of International Affairs at Vente Venezuela, Venezuela
"The situation in Venezuela has deteriorated considerably in recent weeks with a significant increase in repression – even internally within the regime – human rights violations, and restriction of civic space. Persecution against the direct circle of the candidate and elected opposition leader in the primaries of October 22, 2023, María Corina Machado, has drastically increased, with four regional campaign chiefs detained (Juan Freites, Luis Camacaro, Emil Brandt, and Guillermo López), two national campaign leaders detained (Henry Alviarez and Dignora Hernández), and six national campaign leaders taking refuge under asylum at the Embassy of Argentina in Caracas (Magallí Meda, Pedro Urruchurtu (Member of DSLA), Omar González, Claudia Macero, and Humberto Villalobos). This is just a glimpse of the relentless persecution activists and opponents are facing, extending to figures like Tamara Sujú (Member of DSLA), Sebastiana Barráez, Rocío San Miguel (currently detained), and the 269 verified political prisoners.
All this occurs in a context that reaffirms the violation of the Barbados Agreements and continues to prevent, as of this date (April 18, 2024), the democratic opposition from having an officially registered candidate for the presidential election called for next July 28. Neither Machado nor the figure agreed upon with all parties of the Unitary Platform to replace her candidacy, Dr. Corina Yoris, have been able to register, while the opposition seeks to safeguard their electoral ticket and a name that can be substituted before the July process. This repeated violation of the signed agreements has led the United States to decide to reimpose sanctions on Venezuelan oil and gas, in an attempt to increase pressure.
In this sense, there is a risk that the presidential elections called for next July 28 may lack any legitimacy if the unified opposition does not have a candidate. Following multiple national and international efforts and pressures, the Mesa de la Unidad Democrática was able to confirm Edmundo González Urrutia as an officially registered candidate, a 74-year-old diplomat with a long career, who had initially been registered to hold the position until Yoris or Machado could register. Unable to do so at the moment, all parties of the democratic opposition and Machado herself as opposition leader unanimously endorsed González Urrutia's candidacy, which was later supported by the other two opposition parties with enabled parties to participate in the election, confirming the ambassador as the opposition standard-bearer for the upcoming July 28 process.
González Urrutia faces enormous challenges amid a short campaign in which Machado will travel the country to maintain morale and endorse her leadership to the ambassador's candidacy, as a guarantor of the mandate from the October 22 primary. The international community must be alert to any maneuver that could eliminate the diplomat's and the opposition's candidacy, considering that the Mesa de la Unidad Democrática is under review in the Supreme Court of Justice, which could invalidate it. Furthermore, the integrity and security of María Corina Machado and her teams nationwide are increasingly at risk, as Maduro's regime accuses Vente Venezuela of being a sect and terrorist movement. Their security, as well as that of the unitary candidate, is a priority. The candidate of the people must be chosen by the people, not by Nicolás Maduro. The democratic world must not accept that the regime chooses its opponent."
Comment issued on April 26
The views expressed in these works are the responsibility of its authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forum 2000 Foundation or its staff.
