Venezuela’s Political Landscape: President Maduro and the Opposition’s Third Term Election Plan

President Nicolás Maduro will be seeking a third term in the upcoming July 28 elections, as officially confirmed by the opposition. Edmundo González Urrutia has been chosen as their candidate, following the disqualification of Maria Corina Machado. The nomination process was extended due to reported blockages in the system that prevented other candidates from being nominated.

Omar Barbosa, secretary general of the alliance that chose Gonzalez Urrutia, called this decision historic for the people of Venezuela. They believe he is their next president. Despite his absence during the announcement, Gonzalez Urrutia, 74 years old, was initially registered as a provisional candidate for the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD). However, he now has his final nomination approved by the coalition.

Manuel Rosales, who had originally registered his candidacy with Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT), declined it at the last minute. This decision was met with some opposition from close allies but ultimately paved the way for Gonzalez Urrutia to become the unanimous candidate representing the opposition in