Venezuela: Opposition Figures Call for Electoral Participation, PSUV Announces Governor Candidates

Caracas, April 7, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – A group of Venezuelan opposition politicians announced a new political platform to encourage voter turnout in upcoming regional and legislative elections.

Former presidential candidates Henrique Capriles (2012 and 2013) and Henri Falcón (2018) were among those present at the launch of the Citizens’ Network for the Defense of Democracy, DECIDE for its Spanish initials.

“We have four main instruments for democratic struggle: education, organization, mobilization and the vote,” said Jesús ‘Chúo’ Torrealba, coordinator of DECIDE, at the event in Caracas. Torrealba is a former leader of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), the main opposition coalition in the 2010s.

Torrealba stated that the new network is “not a political party” and does not have a spot on the ballot. “We call on political forces to take into account natural leaders who have done significant work,” he affirmed, calling on the people to vote in order to defend their political rights. Some of the platform members have been touted as potential candidates on opposition party ballots.

For his part, Capriles said there was “no other way” except “persisting” on the electoral route, with upcoming contests scheduled by the Caribbean nation’s electoral authorities for May 25.

“Democrats have no better option than to use their vote,” the right-wing politician told those present. “I’m not voting to legitimize anyone, I’m doing so to ratify my desire for change.”

In recent days, social media users have shared screenshots of Venezuela’s electoral platform showing that Capriles does not appear to be barred from running for office. He received a 15-year disqualification from public office in 2017 over irregularities during his tenure as governor of Miranda state.

The Venezuelan Comptroller’s Office, the body responsible for investigating elected politicians and determining their eligibility, has not commented.

Venezuelan anti-government forces have shown fractures ahead of the scheduled elections. Far-right groups led by María Corina Machado have called for a boycott of the vote. The US-backed hardline groups have maintained the claim that their candidate, Edmundo González, was the victor in the July 28, 2024, presidential vote.

Machado and González have lobbied the US and other international allies to impose harsher economic sanctions against the country while warning other political organizations against taking part in the May contest.

The Venezuelan opposition has handed pro-government forces significant victories in recent years by promoting abstention or failing to rally around unified candidates. 

Patriotic Pole Announces Candidates

Last week saw the ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) and its allies in the Great Patriotic Pole coalition announce the 24 candidates who will run for governor on May 25. The final list followed thousands of party assemblies at different levels.

The roster of 18 men and 5 women includes some high-profile figures seeking a new term in office, including Rafael Lacava (Carabobo), Freddy Bernal (Táchira), Victor Clark (Falcón) and Ángel Marcano (Anzoátegui). Elio Serrano and Wilmer Rodríguez—who served as caretaker governors after Héctor Rodríguez and Eduardo Piñate took over cabinet posts mid-term—will run in Miranda and Apure states, respectively.

In the last regional elections in 2021, Chavista candidates secured 19 governorships, with different opposition forces claiming Zulia, Cojedes, Nueva Esparta and Barinas, the latter after a controversial run-off.

As the birthplace of former president Hugo Chávez, Barinas holds special significance for the socialists. Chávez’s older brother, Adán, returns from a hiatus from public office to run for governor in the state, a post he held after winning the contest in 2008.

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council set an April 11 deadline for political organizations to submit candidate lists for the 277-seat National Assembly, 24 state governorships, and regional legislatures.

Edited by Cira Pascual Marquina and Andreína Chávez Alava from Caracas.