Venezuela is enduring an existential struggle between democracy and authoritarianism, and the democratic world’s support is crucial for freedom to prevail. As I write these lines, I am in hiding, as are María Corina Machado and hundreds of activists who know their lives and freedom are at risk for organizing Edmundo González’s campaign and fighting to reveal the truth about the July 28 election.
In 2023, the democratic opposition in Venezuela decided to participate in the presidential election, rallying behind a single candidate. This unprecedented decision, taken in a deeply authoritarian context, led to a primary process involving around three million Venezuelans. María Corina Machado, the leader of the Vente Venezuela party, emerged victorious with 90 per cent of the votes. However, she was unjustly disqualified from the presidential race by the National Electoral Council, controlled by President Nicolás Maduro.
After months of speculation, María Corina decided to step aside and support Corina Yoris, a highly respected professor in the academic community. Yet, the National Electoral Council prevented Yoris’s participation without explanation, simply denying her access to the registration system. Amid intense negotiations, a placeholder candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, an experienced diplomat but virtually unknown to the public, was registered.
Machado’s leadership and legitimacy were undeniable, and she chose to lead González’s campaign, offering her campaign team, strategies, and leadership to the common cause of restoring democracy. For months, Machado travelled across the country by car, as the regime had banned her from flying. During the campaign, authorities blocked roads, forcing her to walk, ride motorcycles, or take detours. Nonetheless, they could not stop the massive rallies held in her support.
The campaign faced severe repression. Machado’s campaign manager and four main collaborators sought asylum in the Argentine embassy following arrest warrants issued by Maduro’s prosecutors. Another 102 campaign team members are imprisoned for various reasons. The regime closed hotels where Machado stayed, shut down restaurants where she ate, and even kidnapped a businessman who sheltered them for a night.
On election day, Venezuelans turned out to vote in large numbers, by the afternoon, polling stations were empty. At closing time, the regime, sensing defeat, deployed the Armed Forces and National Electoral Council operators to prevent election witnesses from obtaining the records proving the results.
In response, a remarkable civic effort emerged. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at polling stations to support witnesses and safeguard the electoral records. These records were then distributed to clandestine centres for digitization, and within 48 hours, over 70 per cent were uploaded to a website, proving Edmundo González’s victory. Meanwhile, the National Electoral Council, without any evidence, declared Nicolás Maduro the winner.
We have the truth and the evidence. Anyone can visit resultadosconvzla.com to verify the records from nearly 90 per cent of polling stations, confirming that Edmundo González was elected with over seven million votes, compared to Maduro’s three million. The citizens’ response to the fraud was peaceful protests across Venezuela, especially in the poorest and most vulnerable sectors that once supported Chávez and Maduro.
Facing defeat, Maduro resorted to repression. Over a thousand protesters and political leaders have been imprisoned, 17 people have been killed, and a brutal witch hunt has targeted anyone involved in the protests or community organizing. A week after the election, neither Nicolás Maduro nor the National Electoral Council has produced any electoral records. They have no proof; their only tools are terror and violence. Supported by Vladimir Putin and shedding any democratic pretense, Maduro has consolidated himself as the most ruthless dictator in the region. State terrorism is now a reality in Venezuela.
The democratic world’s solidarity is essential to reclaiming Venezuela’s freedom. The international community must condemn Maduro’s actions, provide humanitarian support, monitor the situation, and protect opposition activists. The fight for freedom and democracy belongs to all of us, and global support can be a powerful tool for Venezuelans in their quest for justice and liberty.
Jesús Armas is the organizer of the María Corina Machado campaign in Caracas.