Venezuela is currently in a situation of extreme turmoil, in an increasingly intense battle between the citizen force and the State machinery used to intimidate it. Any seasoned observer could demonstrate that Chavismo has lost the popular favor that it once enjoyed. Like never before, the will of citizens in support of a peaceful option has prevailed over all differences between democratic factions and has kept them attached to the electoral solution.
Faced with this situation, a weak government in control of all institutions, has resorted to all the means at its disposal to delegitimize this citizen force, disqualifying candidates, prohibiting the use of air transportation to those who currently hold the opposition leadership, denying them access to fuel to move by land, blocking roads, arresting those who provide them with accommodations, closing the commercial establishments they visit, harassing leaders, and even threatening to use force under the false argument that the opposition will be violent (or will initiate violence).
Given this outlook, it is obvious that we are facing an electoral contest that is far from clean and that does not meet the minimum parameters of an authentic election. Despite this, the opposition continues to pursue the electoral path, firmly convinced that with the insistence and support of the international community to uphold genuine results – preventing the endorsement of a fraud – alongside its demands for government forces to refrain from suppressing the peaceful expression of the popular will, a peaceful transition will be possible.
It is then up to the democratic world to make its voice heard, with complete clarity, to guarantee with the ethical strength that this confers, that the will of the population is respected and not twisted. Twenty-five years in power have worn down the once popular United Socialist Party of Venezuela to such an extent that its only remaining recourse is to utilize the State institutions under its control to impose, through manipulation or force, a victory evidently disconnected from the vote of the country’s citizens.
The international system, including human rights organizations, must ensure the protection of citizens who will turn out in large numbers to the polls, and demand respect for their votes. It is therefore incumbent upon them to both denounce and demand redress for each violation of human rights that has occurred thus far and that will occur in the coming weeks, while warning the government of Nicolas Maduro that it must respect democratic forms, and that every State has the obligation to faithfully adhere to the popular will that is expressed whenever it is consulted.
The government, the bolivarian Armed Forces, and the police must understand that the international community is paying close attention to what is happening in Venezuela, and that any violation of human rights entails both individual responsibility and accountability within the chain of command. Due obedience will not be an excuse. Democracy, as a collective good, is not exclusive to anyone. The obligation to defend it wherever it is in danger is everyone’s duty. Venezuela expects solidarity and support from the international community for the clear expression of its people’s will in the upcoming July 28th election.