Venezuela’s fall from grace is a story of broken dreams and shattered hopes. Once a thriving nation, it now grapples with an economy in shambles, sky-high prices, rampant crime, and a lack of basic goods and freedom. This harsh reality has driven roughly a quarter of its population to seek a better life elsewhere, marking the largest exodus in the country’s history.
The roots of this mess can be traced back to the socialist rule of Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro. Under their watch, the nation plunged into a whirlwind of mismanagement and corruption. The result? A land rich in oil yet poor in everyday needs. Hyperinflation has rendered Venezuelan currency, the Bolivar, almost worthless. Imagine needing a wheelbarrow full of cash just to buy a loaf of bread! The International Monetary Fund projected inflation to surpass 10 million per cent in recent years. The economic collapse has been paralleled by a surge in criminality. Venezuela’s crime rate is among the highest in the world, with Caracas consistently ranking as one of the most dangerous cities globally. The scarcity of basic goods like food and medicine has turned daily life into a grueling struggle for survival.
But amidst this gloom, a spark of hope has emerged. The recent presidential election has shaken things up, and the credit goes to the bold and savvy María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s very own iron lady. With her sharp mind and unwavering will, she has brought a new wave of hope to the nation.
On July 28, the presidential election was held in Venezuela. Despite Maduro’s best efforts to cling to power through shady means like voter intimidation, ballot tampering, and misinformation, Edmundo González emerged as the rightful winner, and the opposition has the proof.
This happened through a well-coordinated effort led by María Corina Machado. She mobilized an entire nation, with more than six million voters showing up for Edmundo González and 2.7 million for Maduro. The slogan “hasta el final” (until the end) has become a rallying cry for a nation determined to see through its fight for a brighter future. Machado’s clever planning on election night was a game-changer.
Each voting machine works like a cash register: when it closes, it prints and sends out a receipt called an “acta” with a unique code, a QR code, and an e-signature. Scrutineers sign the actas and are entitled to a copy. The opposition, more united and organized than ever before, mobilized tens of thousands of scrutineers to oversee the election process across the country. This time, they were ready. They swiftly collected and uploaded the actas online, creating robust proof of the true vote count.
The National Electoral Council (CNE), controlled by Maduro, declared him the winner but has yet to show any proof. That’s because they have none and are probably working on a plan to concoct a fake one. Of course, he was quickly backed by allies like the dictatorships of Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia, China, and Iran, among others. Yet, they faced a cold shoulder from key left-leaning neighbours such as Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, who withheld recognition of the so-called win.
The Carter Center, an esteemed watchdog group based in Atlanta, also threw shade on the election, declaring it fell short of international standards and couldn’t be deemed democratic. This has fuelled a fresh wave of resolve among Venezuelans, led by the tenacious Machado.
Tyrants like Maduro do not relinquish power easily or peacefully. The regime’s stranglehold on the military and security forces means that any opposition faces brutal repression. Venezuelans are courageously fighting for their freedom, but the cost is high. Bloodshed and sacrifice are, tragically, part of their struggle against the oppressive Chávez-Maduro regime.
This time, the resolve feels different. It’s stronger, fiercer, and deeply rooted in a collective will to see justice served. Venezuelans, under the unyielding leadership of María Corina Machado, have vowed to push forward “hasta el final.” They’re not backing down, and the winds of change are blowing stronger than ever.
So, to Maduro and his cronies, the message is clear: Your time is up. The people of Venezuela have had enough of your games. With their iron lady at the helm, they’re marching towards a new dawn, ready to reclaim their land and rebuild what has been lost. The fight is on, and this time, it’s until the end.
Anaida Poilievre is a Venezuelan immigrant, founder of an online magazine for women, an advocate to end human trafficking, a former political advisor, and the spouse of Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.