Machado led the electoral campaign that, he claims, led to an “overwhelming beating” by the opposition, although the pro-Chavismo electoral authority proclaimed Maduro the winner for a third consecutive six-year term.
“No one has any doubt that Edmundo González Urrieta won,” said the leader, “the regime is absolutely delegitimized (…), it is an international pariah.”
“This is an unsustainable situation,” he continues. “Maduro tries to convey to his people that this is stabilizing him, that the world is going to turn the page and that we Venezuelans are going to keep quiet,” said the Venezuelan leader.
During an interview, Machado stated, “that is not going to happen. This system is financially, diplomatically and, most importantly, socially unviable,” he stressed.
personal challenge
The result of the National Electoral Council (CNE) – 52% for Maduro – was validated by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), both accused of serving Chavismo. The opposition, for its part, published copies of 80% of the voting records that it claims demonstrate the victory of the now president-elect of Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia, who replaced Machado after his disqualification.
The situation of the opposition leaders in Venezuela is complicated by the persecution carried out by the regime against them. González Urrutia went into exile in Spain on September 8 and Machado remains in hiding due to the repression exercised by Maduro’s authorities.
“It is an enormous change and a great personal challenge (…) there were many months in contact with thousands of people, listening, hugging, kissing, and suddenly not having direct contact for weeks,” Maduro said.
Dozens of opposition leaders have been arrested, joining the more than 2,400 detained and accused of alleged terrorism for their participation in the protests that broke out after the results were announced, being harshly repressed by law enforcement.
“What does Maduro have today? 90% of a country against it, 90% of a country that wants change,” insists Machado. “The only thing left is violence and sowing terror.”
However, two months before the elections, Machado calls for small demonstrations on Saturday, despite fear of new arrests. “It is not a rally with 50,000 people, it is 1,000 assemblies with 50 each. It is very powerful,” he explains.
The cost
The opposition leader celebrates the international support her cause has received. It stands out that allied countries such as Brazil, Colombia or Mexico have not recognized Maduro’s victory, as well as the speeches of several leaders about Venezuela at the United Nations General Assembly.
“It is very important, we saw a level of total support, of total alignment,” he said.
Machado also highlighted the support received from the United States, the European Union and the G7, “it is not only the issue of demanding that repression be stopped and that there be respect for the popular will. Directly, these countries speak of a transition to democracy”.
“When is Maduro going to have real incentives to sit down and negotiate a transition? The day the cost of remaining in power is greater than the cost of leaving power. Then, we must lower the cost of leaving power, raise the cost to hold on to power, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
Migratory wave
Machado warned about the risk of a new wave of migration, “Maduro wants millions of Venezuelans to leave, we have time to prevent the largest and most painful wave of migration in this entire hemisphere.”
According to the UN, nearly 8 million of some 30 million Venezuelans have fled the crisis since 2014. Machado, during the campaign, insisted on the risk that another 5 million would flee if Maduro remained in power.
“Some people can’t wait,” he laments. “It’s not a matter of them believing there won’t be change, but maybe they can’t wait as long as it takes. When you’re hungry, when you can’t enroll your child in school, when you can’t afford medicine… “You can’t expect these processes to consolidate.”
However, he is optimistic: on January 10, the day of the inauguration in Venezuela, “Edmundo González Urrutia must be sworn in as president,” and he rules out symbolic ceremonies abroad. “That does not exist, he is going to be sworn in in Venezuela.”
And has Machado considered exile? “I am where I feel most useful for the fight, in Venezuela,” he maintains. “I am here accompanying Venezuelans in a fight that continues, which is much bigger than any of us.”
