People started arriving in the dark, forming lines across Venezuela early in the morning to vote for their next president. This election is very important for the socialist group that has been in charge of the country for 25 years.
The ruling party tried hard to make sure they win. As voting started, there were problems. In some places, people were not allowed to vote. At one voting center in Caracas, the capital city, about 15 men in black jackets blocked the entrance, and a volunteer was punched. People in line started chanting, “We want to vote!” Finally, they were allowed inside, but it was more than an hour and a half late.
For many years, the socialist movement, called Chavismo, has hurt the country’s democracy and economy. Many people have left Venezuela because of this. The election was held on the birthday of Hugo Chávez, who started this movement. President Nicolás Maduro, who took over from Chávez, was running against Edmundo González, a former diplomat. González is running for María Corina Machado, who couldn’t run because the government stopped her. She wants to bring back democracy and help Venezuelans return home.
No one knows who will win, and everyone is nervous. Maduro has a history of cheating in elections. Many Venezuelans living in other countries can’t vote. Reports of problems came in from all over. For example, Henry Mayora, a 74-year-old man who uses a cane, arrived at 2:30 a.m. to vote and brought his own chair. He was the first in line at his voting place. He said, “They are going to do everything possible for us not to vote, but we will vote no matter what happens.”
In the state of Sucre, people started lining up as early as 10 p.m. the night before voting started. In one city, Carúpano, government security forces tried to remove an opposition vote monitor and replace them with someone not approved by the electoral body. In another city, Cumaná, people reported that an unofficial voting station was set up in a community center. A journalist who tried to go there was blocked by government supporters. At another voting place in Cumaná, about 50 armed police and national guardsmen stood outside, showing their power to anyone thinking of voting against the government.
By the evening, paramilitary gangs known as colectivos were expected to ride around on motorcycles, wearing T-shirts supporting Maduro. Police officers dressed as regular people planned to join them, according to some sources.
In other places, voting went more smoothly. At one of Caracas’s largest voting centers in the Petare neighborhood, Rony Velázquez, a personal trainer, chose to vote for the government. He said he supports the opposition but wants improvements within the current system because he fears a new government would cause more uncertainty.
Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the president’s son, said he was sure his father would win because they have a strong voting system in place. He said they would accept the result if they lost and become the opposition.
If the opposition doesn’t win by a lot, Maduro might still win through voter suppression. If González wins and takes office, he will face many challenges because most institutions are loyal to Maduro.
The socialist movement started with promises to help the poor but now is seen as corrupt. Maduro has kept control by punishing opponents and controlling institutions. The U.S. has pressured Maduro to hold a fair election by promising to lift economic sanctions.
Results might come late. Many believe Maduro won’t allow a result that shows he lost. He faces accusations of drug trafficking and crimes against humanity, making him vulnerable if he leaves office.
There are three possible outcomes: a democratic transition, consolidation of Maduro’s power, or increased conflict. Any result is likely to be disputed, leading to possible protests and violence.
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The new president won’t take office until January, so there will be uncertainty. Some people are ready to protest if Maduro wins, while others might leave the country to avoid repression. Voting lines were long, but volunteers urged people to be patient, saying, “If it takes 20 hours, then it takes 20 hours.”