Venezuela and the doubts of what the regional elections can generate

This Sunday the regional elections were held in Venezuela, the first test to know if an electoral solution to the crisis that the country has been experiencing for several years is possible.

Until the afternoon of this Sunday the regional elections passed with “tranquility”, according to the head of the electoral mission -of more than 100 people- of the European Union (EU), Isabel Santos, on the elections marked by the return to the country of observers of the bloc after 15 years of absence.

“So far issues that have been resolved in one way or another, but they are things that we will address later,” said Santos, who will offer a report on November 23.

Previously, the EU had said that its attitude and actions towards the Nicolás Maduro regime, whose government had criticized this, would depend on this report.

Opposition politician Henry Ramos Allup reminded Maduro that the EU mission will record what happened and not what the regime wants to be said.

“When you invite on an observation mission it is not for me to say what you like or what suits you. The mission attends to observe and records what it observed and if what it observes is somewhat irregular to that, it will give evidence. If the mission observes that the process was normal, it will state it. What cannot be done in advance is to be for or against that report … wait for that report to be produced, “said Ramos Allup after voting, according to the Venezuelan newspaper. The National.

In the first part of the election day, according to voters consulted by EFE, the atmosphere between “discouragement” and “joy” was perceived,

The main streets of Caracas woke up with the typical tranquility of a Sunday and, in the voting centers, which opened all the tables around noon – six hours after the official opening time – adults were observed, for the most part. older people waiting their turn to exercise their right to vote.

Paradoxically, in areas of the largest neighborhood in Venezuela, Petare, located in the east of Caracas, there were longer queues outside commercial premises or gas stations -with distribution problems in recent months due to fuel shortages- than in the electoral colleges.

The last three elections in Venezuela have also been characterized by low turnout, something that is repeated today, but continues to attract the attention of citizens who, they consider, is due to discouragement or lack of confidence in the leadership and the vote.

This is the case of the young carpenter Héctor Palma, who sees a lack of “motivation” in the population to vote.

“There is not much motivation in the population to vote as before (…), perhaps due to the lack of leaders who tell the truth. We have felt that the leadership has fallen in the country and the motivation has dropped a lot and, well, I continue to maintain the faith. The difference is the lack of leadership, something that you feel tells the truth, “said retired educator Ana Caballero, after casting her vote at a school in eastern Caracas known for being a” Chavista stronghold. “

The young man went to vote because he hopes for a “change” and that the electricity, water and food services will reach the popular sectors “more opportunely”, as the candidates for the regional and local elections of both Chavismo and the opposition.

More than 21 million Venezuelans are called to vote to choose 23 governors, 335 mayors, 253 legislators from legislative councils and 2,471 councilors.

In addition to the EU, there are also observers from the UN – whose analysis will be sent to make recommendations later – and others from the Carter Center and “special guests” from the Maduro government. (I)