Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The Venezuelan opposition has been divided, with some advocating for boycotting elections and others participating. Stalin González, a dissident leader from the opposition, broke ranks with María Corina Machado’s strategy of electoral boycott. González, along with former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, secured a single seat in the National Assembly within a bloc that will not exceed 18 curules.
The ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), secured a crushing majority with 236 seats. Moreover, they won 23 out of 24 contested governorships, including the oil-rich state of Zulia, a historic opposition stronghold.
Criticism of Abstention Calls
At a press conference, González criticized the calls for abstention, stating that such actions only “gift” more power to Maduro and his supporters. He emphasized that both the government and radical opposition celebrate the loss of spaces by the mainstream opposition.
“Who loses in Zulia? The people of Zulia do,” González said, referring to the historically opposition-controlled state now won by the PSUV. He further elaborated, “The theory of giving space to the government, to Maduro, and believing that by not participating we can remove him and return to democracy is not convincing to us.”
Electoral Authority and Voter Turnout
The electoral authority, accused of serving Maduro’s interests, reported a voter turnout of 42.6% among the 21 million eligible voters.
María Corina Machado, who advocated for boycotting the elections, claimed that low voter turnout was an act of defiance against what she deemed a “sham” election amidst her allegations of fraud in the previous year’s presidential election that secured Maduro a third consecutive term.
Impact on the Venezuelan People
González stressed that “reality is imposing itself” and it’s wrong to give the minority chavismo movement spaces of power they shouldn’t have. Capriles, who did not attend the press conference, vowed to work “with force and determination” in the National Assembly.
Capriles described the election process as being marked by mistrust, disappointment, anger, and fear. He acknowledged that the regime and others successfully made abstention the dominant force in the elections. Although the ruling party celebrates their victory, Capriles remains critical of the situation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue being discussed? The Venezuelan opposition dissident group criticizes calls for electoral abstention, claiming it strengthens the position of President Nicolás Maduro and his allies.
- Who are the key figures involved? Stalin González, a dissident opposition leader; Henrique Capriles, former presidential candidate; and María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure who advocated for boycotting the elections.
- What is the outcome of the recent elections? The PSUV secured a crushing majority in the National Assembly with 236 seats and won 23 out of 24 contested governorships, including the oil-rich state of Zulia.
- Why is there controversy surrounding voter turnout? The electoral authority reported a voter turnout of 42.6%, which is lower than expected, leading to claims of fraud and allegations that abstention was a deliberate strategy to undermine the opposition.
