Venezuela is on the verge of electing a new president as the country will go to the polls on Sunday to either reelect Nicolas Maduro for a third term or choose opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzales Urrutia. After being in power for 11 years, Maduro is facing a tough challenge this time, with polls showing Urrutia leading him by 40 points.
This election is crucial for Venezuela as it could pave the way for resolving the political conflict that has been ongoing in the country for several years. Thousands of demonstrators have shown their support for Urrutia, signaling a potential shift in power away from the leftist government that has ruled for years.
The opposition promises to “reconcile” the country and bring back millions of migrants who have fled the economic crisis, while the US and other countries are closely watching the outcome of the election. If Maduro is reelected, it could lead to further sanctions and a deepening of the crisis in Venezuela.
Experts are questioning whether Maduro will respect the results if the opposition wins, raising concerns about potential violence. The international community, including the US and the EU, may not recognize an election suspected of fraud, which could have severe consequences for the country.