‘Fascists Will Not Return’: Maduro Ups Rhetoric on Campaign Trail

The Venezuelan president labeled the opposition as “fascist, racist, and violent” and called on supporters to remain vigilant.
Maduro campaign bolivar
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses a crowd of supporters while campaigning in the state of Bolívar. (Prensa Presidencial)

Mexico City, Mexico, July 16, 2024 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued his starkest warning yet about violent plots he alleges his right-wing rivals are planning in order to disrupt the upcoming presidential vote. 

“They are looking for a catastrophe, a tragedy, something strong that will change the course of what is going to happen in Venezuela on July 28,” said Maduro, who is seeking reelection for a third term.

The Venezuelan presidential candidate warned about opposition violence before a rally in San Félix, Bolívar state, in Eastern Venezuela. The state of Bolívar was the site of an alleged sabotage effort as Venezuelan officials denounced that cables for the Angostura Bridge that crosses the Orinoco River had been intentionally cut. 

“I say to the extreme right, this evil opposition: Rain or shine, on July 28 we are going to have the largest electoral victory in the history of Venezuela!” declared Maduro.

After years of relative isolation due to security concerns, the president’s reelection campaign has focused on a closer connection to the population, emphasizing mass demonstrations where the candidate interacts directly with voters, running on the slogan “Hope is in the Streets”.

There has also been an emphasis in holding rallies with popular movements. Over the weekend, Maduro met with campesino movements from all over the country to hear concerns and demands. He ordered the creation of committees to supply fuel and inputs to small-scale producers as well as a a new credit program.

Elsewhere in Bolívar state, in the municipality of Angostura del Orinoco, Maduro labeled the opposition as “fascist, racist, and violent” and called on supporters to remain vigilant.

“You fascists will not return!” he told the crowd.

The Venezuelan leader’s sharp rhetoric comes on the heels of heightened concerns following claims from a Colombian paramilitary group that it had been contacted by Venezuelan far-right figures seeking to engage in sabotage and political assassinations.

A group identifying as the “Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada” said that members of their group had been approached by “Venezuelan far-right elements” to engage in “destabilizing acts” in Venezuelan territory. Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced a joint investigation with Colombian counterparts.

With Venezuelan elections having been previously marred by post-election instability, last month Maduro and seven opposition candidates signed a nine-point document pledging to comply with the Constitution and electoral laws and recognize the Electoral Power as the only legitimate authority.

However, the candidate for the US-backed Unity Platform, Edmundo González Urrutia, did not attend the meeting and refused to sign the document. González is widely understood to be a stand-in candidate for far-right opposition leader María Corina Machado.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, the previously little-known former diplomat expressed his confidence that he will triumph in the July 28 vote. 

The 74-year-old González, who has faced scrutiny for running for the country’s highest office without going on the campaign trail, has allowed Machado to take his place on the hustings. The candidate told the British paper that Machado would have “whatever role she desires” in government should he win the election.

González made a rare appearance in a caravan rally in Valencia, Carabobo state, on Saturday. Machado echoed his confidence in a victory, telling supporters that there were “two weeks left” before the opposition won the presidency.

During a rally this month in the state of Nueva Esparta, the far-right politician made a slip and addressed the crowd as if she were the candidate. 

“When I am president of Venezuela, I will also be their [political opponents’] president. I’m going to be the president of everyone,” Machado affirmed.

The former deputy is not on the ballot after her political disqualification was upheld by the Venezuelan Supreme Court in January. 

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.