Venezuela opposition strategy to replace María Corina Machado with González Urrutia

Objection that Venezuela It was announced this Friday Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia As their unity candidate to replace the disqualified leader in the July 28 presidential election against dictator Nicolás Maduro. Maria Corina Machado.

González Urrutia, a 74-year-old career diplomat, was already registered as a “provisional” candidate Democratic United Platform (PUD), but the coalition decided to “unanimously approve” his final candidacy, the coalition's general secretary Omar Barbosa told reporters.

“This is a historic decision for the people Venezuela” said Barbosa. “We have chosen the next president of the republic.”

This announcement came after several days of clashes between the opposition parties regarding the nomination of the unitary body.

The PUD registered Gonzalez Urrutia as a presidential candidate after the last minute, after denouncing the obstruction of the nomination system that prevented the educator from being nominated. Corina YorisMachado's first choice to represent her.

The procedure was carried out on extension provided by National Election Council (CNE), accused of serving Chavismo. Ambassador was the head of the MUD party, short for the Democratic Unity Roundtable, later replaced by the PUD, and his candidacy was in principle a “cover”, while the Unity candidate was limited.

“We celebrate this decision and we thank the Venezuelan people for their trust,” the party pointed out in X. Sell ​​VenezuelaMachado who “participated in the debate” to define the name of the unitary candidate.

Machado won more than 90% of the vote in PUD primaries last October and went to the Supreme Court (TSJ) in a mechanism agreed upon in negotiations between the Maduro regime and the opposition to review the disqualifications. However, the permission was granted under the sought United States and European Union.

“Venezuelans, we will advance!” the Liberal leader wrote in X, which his party says he will send to the country in the coming hours.

The decision was made after an extensive day of meetings on Friday, hours before the deadline to change candidates on the ballot.

“Edmundo González Urrutia was first registered as a provisional candidate, today he became a confirmed candidate, he has already been registered and his registration has been accepted by the National Electoral Council and has not been opposed by anyone”added Barbosa.

Gonzalez Urrutia was not present with Barbosa at the time of the statement and has not commented on the announcement until now, nor did he do so when he was recorded.

“The 'Taba' candidate has become a national phenomenon without saying a word,” wrote activist Brenner Barrius on social networks, where pro-opponent messages are pouring in: from chants of “Edmondo for all” to musicians referencing the surprise campaign.

Governor Julia of Oil State, Manuel Rosales, who rejected his candidacy, he filed at the last minute with his party, Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT), which is part of the coalition. His record was branded a “betrayal” by some opponents close to Machado, who for their part said they “distrusted” rival Rosales. Hugo Chavez In 2006.

“On March 25, we saved the electoral path. “Today we honor our word before the country and the world, with a gesture that consolidates the unanimous candidacy of Edmundo González to defeat Nicolás Maduro on July 28.”Rosales wrote about his application in X.

Other opposition leaders celebrated the announcement.

“Edmondo González is a good man, ready, honest, educated, agreeable and consensus-minded. In short, a server”said Tomás Guanipa, a member of the Primero Justicia party from the PUD.

Barbosa said Rosales' Un Nuevo Tiempo party, and others who supported his candidacy, must formalize their support for González Urrutia before the CNE this Saturday so that the votes on those cards will be assigned to the PUD.

“We have a consensus candidate, we are not only united, we are very united,” the leader concluded.

(With information from AFP)