Title: Maduro and Capriles Engage in Twitter Battle over Venezuelan Politics
Subtitle: Accusations of ghosting and failed promises fuel escalating tensions
Date: July 11, 2023
In a heated exchange on Twitter, President Nicolás Maduro and opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles traded barbs, accusing each other of ghosting and making false promises to the Venezuelan people. The fiery exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions in the country.
Maduro responded to a post by Capriles, alleging that the opposition candidate supported anti-government protests (guarimbas), the former President Juan Guaidó’s guaidosismo movement, and international sanctions against Venezuela. Maduro’s tweet also emphasized his belief that Capriles intends to encourage economic warfare, to which the so-called Bolivarian revolution will not allow.
Capriles fired back, accusing Maduro’s government of failing to fulfill its promises and burying democracy. He emphasized that the people of Venezuela recognize the government’s shortcomings, and there is no path to economic recovery or improved well-being under Maduro’s leadership.
The exchange comes amid preparations for the upcoming primaries scheduled for October 22, 2023. The primaries will determine the opposition’s standard-bearer to challenge Chavismo in the 2024 presidential elections. Capriles, despite being disqualified from holding public office, remains a prominent figure within the opposition, along with María Corina Machado, who is also disqualified and labeled a “traitor to the homeland” by the government.
In a recent television program, Maduro criticized the traditional opposition for engaging in a political campaign after years of calling for abstention. He also accused them of attacking the transparency of the National Electoral Council. Maduro further expressed concerns that certain factions within the opposition seek to cause further division and ultimately contribute to the economic destruction of Venezuela.
As political tensions continue to escalate, the country remains divided between followers of Chavismo and the opposition. The upcoming primaries will serve as a crucial moment in defining the opposition’s strategy and determining their candidate’s chances against the incumbent president.
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to favor any political party or perspective and strives to present an impartial account of the Twitter exchange between Nicolás Maduro and Henrique Capriles.