Election in Venezuela heightens tension

The Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, and his main rival in Sunday’s election, Edmundo González Urrutia, concluded their campaigns yesterday amidst warnings from the Chavista leader about a potential "bloodbath" if he loses and polls showing an advantage for the opposition bloc.

According to polls by firms like Datincorp, Poder y Estrategia, and Consultores 21, the opposition holds between 55 and 60% of the voting intention, while Maduro hovers around 20 points. A participation rate of over 70% of the electorate within the country is expected, translating to around 12 million voters.

In his closing campaign event, Maduro took over Caracas "from end to end" with a march that ended on the iconic Bolívar Avenue. The President aimed to project an image of strength on TV, radio, and social media, where he presented himself as a "spotted rooster" and labeled his opponent as "weak." Maduro, invoking his mentor Hugo Chávez, asked undecided voters to give him a "vote of confidence."

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Meanwhile, González Urrutia concluded his campaign with a rally in Las Mercedes, an affluent neighborhood in Caracas. As usual, the former diplomat was accompanied by ex-deputy María Corina Machado, the opposition alliance Plataforma Unitaria candidate, but was barred from running.

"They may have the resources of the state, control of the CNE (electoral authority), and the Prosecutor’s Office, but we have the love, support, and enthusiasm of the vast majority of Venezuelans who want peaceful change," González said. He promised "not to persecute" Chavistas if he comes to power.

Elections draw international attention

This week, the presidents of Brazil and Chile, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Gabriel Boric, expressed concern over Maduro’s warning of a "bloodbath" and hinted at the possibility of a military uprising if González wins.

"There can be no threats of bloodbaths under any circumstances (...); what leaders and candidates receive are showers of votes," Boric said on Thursday. "Maduro needs to learn: when you win, you stay (in power). When you lose, you leave. And you prepare to contest another election," Lula remarked on Monday.

Maduro claims that the Armed Forces are on his side, while González Urrutia calls on the military to "respect and enforce" the results.

John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson for the White House, warned on Thursday that "political repression and violence are unacceptable" and expressed hope that the voting would "reflect the will and aspirations of the people."

The United States did not recognize Maduro’s re-election in 2018, deeming it fraudulent. It imposed sanctions on Venezuela in 2019, including an oil embargo, and has been a key player in these elections.