Chavismo and Opposition Urge Voters to Participate in Final Campaign Push Ahead of Municipal Elections
Caracas, July 26, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuela’s campaign for the July 27 municipal elections concluded Thursday with large rallies nationwide, as candidates from diverse political backgrounds urged citizens to vote.
On Sunday, Venezuelans will elect 335 mayors and 2,471 municipal councillors (1,420 from party lists and 982 under the first-past-the-post system) to serve four-year terms. A further 69 representatives will be appointed by indigenous communities following their traditions.
According to electoral authorities, there are 21.6 million eligible voters and over 15,000 polling stations nationwide. The ballot features 36 national and 10 regional parties.
The Great Patriotic Pole (GPP), which brings together the ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) and 12 allied organizations, wrapped up its 14-day campaign with large rallies in western Caracas and nearly all 335 municipalities. Currently, two-thirds of these municipalities are under Socialist control, while opposition factions hold over 100 mayoralties.
National Assembly President and GPP campaign leader Jorge Rodríguez said that Sunday’s vote would complete the renewal of all public institutions, marking the final step in the country’s “political and social transformation towards a democracy of the people.”
“Every vote counts,” declared Rodríguez from Catia in Western Caracas during the closing rally for GPP candidate Carmen Meléndez. She is aiming to secure a new term as mayor of the Libertador municipality in the Venezuelan capital, a Chavismo stronghold since 2000.
Meléndez called on her supporters to head to the polls early Sunday. “Zero triumphalism, we have not won yet,” emphasized the former Defense minister, vowing to deliver “real-time solutions.”
Five other candidates representing various anti-government forces are challenging Meléndez, with Jorge Barragán of Alianza del Lápiz attracting the most media attention.
The Libertador municipality is part of the Caracas metropolitan area, alongside the Baruta, Chacao, El Hatillo and Sucre municipalities. The first three, which mostly comprise middle- and upper-class neighbourhoods, have never been won by Chavismo. The Fuerza Vecinal party is seeking to retain the three city councils.
At his final campaign rally, Chacao mayor Gustavo Duque vowed to defend the opposition stronghold, urging supporters to “stay focused” and vote. He is competing against PSUV candidate Raiza Chacón.
The Sucre municipality, home to the densely populated, working-class Petare parish, is also a focal point of political contestation. Diógenes Lara has served as acting mayor since February following José Vicente Rangel Ávalos’ resignation and is now seeking a full term in office.
Lara is up against 27-year-old Vicente Vázquez, who is backed by Fuerza Vecinal and Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT). Vázquez has emphasised that voting is an opportunity for political change and has pledged to improve public services.
The calls for electoral participation by opposition candidates sharply contrast with the stance of US-backed far-right forces led by María Corina Machado, which continue to endorse a boycott of all electoral events in an effort to increase abstention.
However, the center-right and right-wing sectors remain fractured ahead of Sunday’s ballot. The Democratic Alliance, which had grouped small opposition forces, dissolved ahead of the upcoming elections due to disagreements over candidates.
In western Venezuela, a critical race unfolds in Zulia’s Maracaibo municipality. Adrián Romero Martínez, in charge since Rafael Ramírez Colina’s arrest last year on corruption charges, is running on the UNT and Unión y Cambio (Única ballot). Meanwhile, Chavismo is pinning its hopes on former Maracaibo mayor Giancarlo Di Martino (2000–2008) to regain control of the strategically important port city.
Key contests are likewise expected in the country’s central and eastern regions, particularly in the Iribarren municipality, home to Barquisimeto city, in Lara state, and in the Bolívar, Diego Bautista Urbaneja and Sotillo municipalities in Anzoátegui state, where the vital economic hubs of Barcelona, Lechería and Puerto La Cruz are located.
Anti-government groups are betting on veteran politician Henri Falcón in his bid to beat PSUV candidate Yanis Agüero in Iribarren. Meanwhile, in the Diego Bautista Urbaneja municipality, a seat traditionally held by the opposition, pro-government forces are backing Katiuska Homsi. She faces a divided opposition vote, with incumbent Manuel Ferreira (Fuerza Vecinal) and Sergio Ramos (independent) also running.
Sunday’s municipal vote marks the culmination of Venezuela’s electoral cycle, following last year’s presidential election and the recent legislative and regional races, both of which yielded favourable outcomes for the ruling PSUV and allied organizations.
July 27 will also see Venezuelans vote on local government-funded projects focused on youth initiatives in this year’s third National Popular Consultation.
Edited by Cira Pascual Marquina in Caracas.