:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/KBTC4C72RZDV3KXZPCKXU3XLAA.jpg "Former Ibero-American heads of state warned that elections without María Corina Machado in Venezuela would not be free")
Former heads of state from Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (IDEA) have declared that the Venezuelan elections scheduled for July 28 will not be free and respectful of the right to vote without opposition candidate María Corina Machado. Machado, who was elected in last year’s internal elections, is being disqualified by the Chavista regime.
The IDEA group, comprised of 29 former heads of state and government from Spain and Latin America, emphasized that fair and democratic presidential elections cannot be held while Machado is prevented from participating. They noted that Machado is constitutionally authorized to vote and be elected, as she has not been subject to a criminal trial or final conviction, and her candidacy was enabled by the primary and majority suffrage of Venezuelans.
The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced on Tuesday that the Venezuelan elections will take place on July 28, with President Nicolás Maduro expected to seek a third term. However, Machado remains disqualified from holding elected office and therefore will not be able to register for the elections.
Despite the obstacles, Machado called for serenity and firmness, stating that Chavismo is afraid of the elections and wants to avoid the electoral route. Meanwhile, Maduro’s party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), has begun a process of consultations with its bases to choose a candidate for the elections.
PSUV’s first vice president, Diosdado Cabello, expressed confidence that the decision will be made by consensus and that the party will emerge stronger and more united. If Maduro becomes the candidate, he would compete for his second re-election in a presidential election that has been questioned by the opposition and the international community.
The upcoming elections in Venezuela are expected to be a critical battle between Chavismo and the opposition, with the future of the country hanging in the balance.