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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Elections & Politics

Opposition Mobilizes in Maracaibo Demanding Presidential Elections and Release of Political Prisoners

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Over a thousand opposition supporters marched in Maracaibo, Venezuela, demanding presidential elections and the release of political prisoners.
  • Key opposition figures including Juan Pablo Guanipa and Freddy Superlano led the demonstration, expressing support for María Corina Machado.
  • Speakers criticized the current leadership and called for democratic elections with international guarantees.

More than a thousand opposition supporters mobilized in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on Saturday, calling for the immediate convocation of presidential elections and the release of all political detainees. The demonstration, which traversed several streets of the capital of Zulia state, saw participants carrying flags and banners, chanting slogans for political change and demanding elections with democratic guarantees.

The people of Zulia are gathered to demand the convocation of elections and the release of ALL political prisoners. Long live Zulia! Long live Free Venezuela!

— Juan Pablo GuanipaTweeted during the mobilization in Maracaibo.

Among the prominent figures leading the march were former lawmakers Juan Pablo Guanipa and Freddy Superlano, alongside Biagio Pilieri and former Bolívar state governor Andrés Velásquez. They publicly endorsed opposition leader María Corina Machado and the negotiation proposal recently put forth by the Unitary Platform. Lester Toledo, who recently returned to Venezuela after a decade abroad, also joined the mobilization, drawing attention from supporters.

During the march, critical messages targeting the ruling Chavismo movement were visible, including a sign humorously declaring "R.I.P. the revolution." Addressing the crowd, Guanipa declared Zulia a symbol of resistance and stated that the state "raises its voice" for elections and political transition. He questioned the legitimacy of acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power after Nicolás Maduro's capture by the United States in January.

Zulia has become a symbol of resistance against the national crisis. The state raises its voice to demand presidential elections and move towards a political transition.

— Juan Pablo GuanipaSpeaking to the demonstrators in Maracaibo.

Guanipa expressed confidence that ongoing negotiations, with the United States potentially playing a role as an observer and guarantor, would create conditions for competitive presidential elections. He hopes these talks will lead to a path toward a democratic transition for Venezuela.

She has to leave a presidency that does not belong to her.

— Juan Pablo GuanipaQuestioning the legitimacy of acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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