Context
In the Venezuelan presidential elections held on July 28, 2024, the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced that Nicolás Maduro was re-elected with 51% of the votes, while his main opponent, Edmundo González Urrutia, obtained 44% .
This result ensures Maduro a third consecutive term, extending his government that began in 2013.
Introduction
Venezuela has been historically dependent on its oil export revenues.
This dependence was exacerbated during the presidencies of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, since approximately 95% of exports and more than 50% of the country's tax revenue came from oil.
When oil prices fell sharply in the mid-2010s, the country's revenue plummeted, leading to a widening fiscal deficit.
To finance public spending, the government resorted to massive money printing, which increased the money supply.
Increasing the amount of money in circulation without a corresponding increase in the production of goods and services generates inflation.
La Fall in income from oil exports affected the balance of payments and the availability of foreign currency, which led to a devaluation of the bolivar, the Venezuelan currency.
Price and Shortage Controls
To try to control inflation, the government implemented price controls on many basic products.
However, these controls led to market distortions and shortages, as producers could not cover their costs and therefore reduced production or refused to sell at the set prices.
Agricultural production and manufacturing industry plummeted.
This resulted in empty shelves in supermarkets and pharmacies, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition.
Illnesses that could have been easily treated became deadly due to lack of medicines and medical supplies.
The resulting shortages increased prices on the black market, exacerbating inflation.
Political Repression
La economic and humanitarian crisis it was seen exacerbated by political repression.
El Maduro government intensified measures against the opposition, using force and intimidation to silence dissenting voices.
Protesters, journalists and opposition leaders have been detained, tortured and, in some cases, murdered, such as attempted murder of María Corina Machado on July 18.
The lack of functional democratic institutions and government control over the media and the judicial system have created an environment of fear and hopelessness.
International Response
The international response to the crisis has included seconomic actions, mainly by the United States and the European Union.
These sanctions have further affected the Venezuelan economy, limiting its ability to trade in international markets and access financing.
Although the sanctions are intended to put pressure on the Maduro regime, they have also contributed to aggravating economic conditions for the general population.
Mass Migration
In this context, 7,7 million Venezuelans have decided to emigrate, undertaking dangerous journeys to neighboring countries such as Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil, as well as to more distant destinations such as the United States and Spain.
These migrants face numerous challenges, including xenophobia, labor exploitation and lack of access to basic services in host countries.
However, for many, the difficult decision to leave their home is the only option to survive and offer a better future for their families.
Importance of the Venezuela 2024 Elections
Therefore, the Venezuela elections 2024 of July 28 were of crucial importance for Venezuelans. They represented an opportunity to change the course of the country, offering hope of restoring democracy and improving the overall situation of the nation.
Border closure
On July 26, two days before the elections, Nicolás Maduro decreed the closure of the borders, alleging the need to avoid external interference that could alter the electoral process and guarantee that the elections took place without incident. that compromised the stability of the country.
This measure prevented millions of Venezuelans in exile, who had planned to return that weekend to vote, from being able to do so, since they did not have enough time to request a vote by mail.
In addition, those who did manage to request the vote by mail publicly denounce that the Venezuelan authorities have placed significant obstacles in the process, resulting in only a minority of the 1% have been able to obtain it.
These votes, which would likely not be in favor of Nicolás Maduro's party as voters were forced to flee the country due to his regime, would have been mostly in favor of the opposition.
CNE
In Venezuela, members of the National Electoral Council (CNE), which is responsible for organizing and supervising elections to ensure that voting and counting are carried out correctly, are elected by the National Assembly, the legislative branch, currently dominated by Nicolás Maduro .
Voter Efforts
In response to these challenges, Venezuelans They demonstrated unwavering determination to exercise their right to vote and change the situation in their country..
In the state of Barinas, citizens and local organizations rented buses to transport voters from rural communities to voting centers, ensuring that no one was left without voting due to lack of transportation.
En Caracas, they organized support networks for older people and people with reduced mobility.
Volunteers offered free transportation and assistance at voting centers.
Activists and non-governmental organizations launched information campaigns on social networks under the hashtag #VotaVenezuela, educating the population about voting procedures and the importance of participating in elections.
This campaign reached thousands of people, especially in urban areas, and played an important role in mobilizing voters.
En Cúcuta, Colombia, where a large community of Venezuelans resides, Caravans were organized to transport voters to the Venezuelan consulate.
These efforts included transportation, food, and assistance in the voting process, facilitating the participation of Venezuelans abroad.
In the state of Zulia, they were formed community safety groups to protect voters and ensure a peaceful environment at voting centers.
Results of the Venezuela 2024 Elections
The results of the Venezuela elections 2024 have been considerably delayed, which has generated suspicion and tension.
President Nicolás Maduro has declared that the electoral data system suffered a hack, indirectly pointing to The United States responsible for this cyber attack.
Moreover, during the vote count, restrictions on the opposition have been reported, which could not access the minutes of the polling stations to verify the transparency of the process.
This has raised suspicions of electoral fraud and manipulation.
La European Union and countries like The United States, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Guatemala and Italy have accused the government of fraud and they consider it incredible that Nicolás Maduro has won the elections again.
These countries They have demanded transparency in the electoral process.
Jurist and internationalist. Paralegal and analyst at RELACIÓNATEYPUNTO.
