Caracas, Venezuela and Medellín, Colombia — Official campaigns for the presidency of Venezuela came to an end on Thursday ahead of the Sunday, July 28 elections.
The streets of Caracas and cities around the country were filled with supporters of opposition leader Marina Corina Machado and her coalition’s candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia. Current President Nicolás Maduro also mobilized large crowds of supporters in Caracas.
Despite concerns about what could happen if Maduro’s regime loses power after more than a decade of authoritarian rule, the atmosphere at political rallies for both the government and opposition was peaceful.
Latin America Reports reporters visited rallies for both sides in Caracas on Thursday.
On the main thoroughfares that criss-cross the city, in upscale neighborhoods like Las Mercedes, and in the poverty-stricken slums, the city was bustling on Thursday. Motorcycle taxis whizzed in and out of lanes to avoid people marching along the avenues.
On Bolivar Avenue, in the west of the city, a political rally for Maduro was held, which resembled more of a music festival than a political event. Every three blocks a stage was set up with performers blasting reggaeton, salsa and joropo tunes.
Flanked by dancers and musicians donning Maduro-style track suits, the president danced and cheered in front of a crowd of thousands that stretched the avenue. Supporters waved flags with his campaign slogans like, “With Maduro, a future” and “For more changes.” (Multiple news outlets have reported that supporters were transported to the rally on state-owned buses.)
“We have not only united Chavismo, the Bolivarian people are in the streets united as a single block of force,” Maduro told the crowd.
Carlos, an evangelical pastor who attended the rally along with members of his congregation, told Latin America Reports that “the resurgence of Venezuela does not come from the hand of one man, but from that of our Lord Jesus Christ, who touched the heart of our president Nicolás Maduro.” The ruling party has been courting support from the evangelical base for months.
As the afternoon heat grew harsher, some Maduro supporters needed a break. Sitting on a guardrail on the avenue shading his face with a “gallo pinto” (fighting cock) hat meant to symbolize Maduro, Diego told Latin America Reports that “the elections are coming along calmly. On Sunday, everything will be calm and we will wait for the results.”
Suddenly, shifting gears, Diego added, “What worries me most about the opposition is its violent nature.”
Despite Diego’s concerns about the opposition, multiple human rights organizations have accused Maduro’s government of political repression and violence against opponents, days before the election Corina Machado’s security chief was detainedand Maduro startled his international allies when on July 17 he said there would be a “bloodbath” if not re-elected.
“Maduro is the only one who can guarantee peace,” said Edgar, a supporter at the rally dressed in the redwine-colored jersey of the Venezuelan national soccer team.
Opposition Event:
Across town, on the main avenue in the upscale Las Mercedes neighborhood in eastern Caracas, supporters of opposition leader Corina Machado and her candidate, González Urrutia, massed in front of the Alfredo Sadel Plaza Plaza for the opposition rally. (Corina Machado was banned from running in the elections by Venezuela’s government).
Waving the seven-starred Venezuelan flag, a symbol of the opposition, a crowd of cheerful, hopeful supporters eagerly awaited the arrival of the opposition leaders, who were delayed in traffic for a few hours. (Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez famously changed the country’s flag in 2006, adding an eighth star).
On stage, Corina Machado’s energy ignited the crowd who honked horns, blew whistles and cheered. She held up the hand of González Urrutia, who, at 74 years old, was visibly less energetic.
“We’re ready to vote, to win, and to celebrate,” shouted the former member of Venezuela’s National Assembly.
Sebastián, a 29-year-old supporter in a light blue t-shirt, told Latin America Reports, “I support Edmundo because Venezuela has been stagnant for 20 years with this government. We need an economic force so that the country can develop. “That is what all young people want.”
Elizabeth, a younger woman with a runner’s build and wearing a Nike cap, said, “It takes many years of work to understand what we want as a society. We seek a free, democratic country, where human rights are respected, where we are all First World citizens. María Corina and Edmundo are going to achieve it in Venezuela.”
Writing by Jim Glade with reporting from Caracas by Sebastian Rodriguez Mora and Isabella Lapadula.
