Maduro Leads Massive Rally in Caracas as Venezuelan Electoral Campaigns Close
Mexico City, Mexico, May 23, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro led a closing campaign rally in Caracas Thursday, mobilizing tens of thousands of supporters ahead of elections on May 25 to elect the members of the unicameral National Assembly, governors for 24 states, and regional legislative councils.
Flanked by candidates from the Simón Bolívar Great Patriotic Pole coalition, Maduro framed the vote as a defense of national sovereignty against US-led destabilization efforts.
“Let the imperialists see that here there is a people and a Revolution that will endure: empowered and mobilized!” he declared.
The event in Caracas was one of eight closing events held by the Socialist-led alliance throughout the country over the previous week. Sunday’s vote will mark the 32nd electoral event since 1999 and comes as the Donald Trump administration continues with a Venezuela strategy filled with mixed signals.
Trump administration Special Envoy Richard Grenell had announced a two-month extension of Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio later cast doubt on the waiver renewal, stating that the license would indeed expire on May 27.
With turnout in Caracas exceeding expectations, Maduro emphasized the ruling party’s grassroots strategy ahead of the vote that emphasized direct contact with the population.
“It is very moving for me to walk more than 5 kilometers, to embrace the people and see in their faces the victory that will come on May 25. We come from the streets, from the barrios of Caracas,” said the Venezuelan leader.
Maduro also issued a warning to opposition factions calling for a boycott of Sunday’s election.
“They will fail once again, as they always have, because the Venezuelan people will continue to advance, governing,” declared Maduro.
The Venezuelan opposition remains divided ahead of regional elections that will choose the National Assembly, governors, and regional legislative councils. Sunday’s vote is the first election exercise since the July 2024 presidential elections saw Maduro secure a third term.
Far-right factions led by María Corina Machado, who maintain they won the presidential contest, are pushing for a boycott of the upcoming vote. The pro-government coalition will instead face an assortment of center-right to right-wing outfits split into three main camps.
Veteran opposition leaders such as Henrique Capriles and Jesús “Chuo” Torrealba have called on anti-government supporters to turn out on Sunday. Zulia governor Manuel Rosales, who is running for re-election in the western Venezuela opposition stronghold, led a closing rally on Thursday in Cabimas.
“This has been a major effort, but we made it,” Rosales told supporters. “On Sunday we will have a beautiful and significant victory,” he said, expressing confidence in opposition prospects for both regional and legislative contests.
Threats of political violence have also loomed over the election. Earlier this week Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrest of 38 individuals linked to an alleged far-right conspiracy aimed at sabotaging the elections.
On Friday, Cabello announced the arrest of far-right politician Juan Pablo Guanipa, accusing him of leading a “terrorist network” that aimed to disrupt Sunday’s vote.
Maduro likewise touched on the topic, confirming the detention of a “terrorist cell” allegedly tied to Colombian paramilitaries and Miami-based opposition figures, accusing them of plotting violent disruptions.
Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López pledged the full commitment of the Bolivarian military to safeguard the upcoming electoral process, framing it as a test of institutional stability amid ongoing political tensions.
While there are no formal international observation missions in the country for the vote, over 400 international observers are expected to arrive in Venezuela to accompany the election.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.