The Last Hope

After María Corina Machado was barred from holding public office by Venezuelan authorities, the opposition united behind Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as their presidential candidate. Machado, regarded by many supporters as a key figure for political change, traveled across the country to encourage voter participation and support for Gonzalez Urrutia. For many, she represented a last hope for political transition, and her efforts aimed to unify the opposition and re-engage a population disillusioned with the political process.

In the subsequent election, the opposition declared Gonzalez Urrutia the winner, citing vote tallies as evidence. However, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) announced different results, leading to disputes over the outcome. A panel of experts from the United Nations stated that the election lacked “basic transparency and integrity,” raising concerns about irregularities in the process.

Although more than 20 countries have recognized González Urrutia's victory, discrepancies in claims and doubts about the electoral process's integrity have contributed to ongoing political tensions in Venezuela.