Venezuela: Distrust and hope in young people facing their first election

They have only known one form of government: Chavismo, which with Hugo Chavezfirst, and now Nicolas Madurohas dominated Venezuelan politics since 1999. With mistrust, but also with hope, they approach this, their first presidential election.

“I’m going to vote“Carla Zambrano, a 22-year-old social communications student, told AFP, but admitted she was not very excited.I registered (as a voter) because it was my duty. The teachers and my grandparents insisted a lot.”.

Her friend Astrid de Nobrega, 20, will not be able to do so, because she did not manage to register on the electoral roll, which was open for less than a month and during restricted hours.

But he is hopeful about the possibility of an opposition victory Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutiarepresentative of the disqualified leader María Corina Machado.

“Getting out of this dictatorship would be a re-energizing thing“, the young woman declares.I feel that the outlook is much more hopeful than in previous years, especially since Edmundo was nominated.”.

Zambrano is suspicious.I feel that the vote alone, with the conditions we have, is not worth 100%”, he says. He thinks that the authorities can “manipulate“the process, as the opposition has denounced in the past.

In the election of July 28, Maduro, 61 years old and president since 2013 after the Chavez’s deathis seeking a third consecutive six-year term.

“Mechanisms of hopelessness”

The electoral participation of young people between 18 and 29 years old in Venezuela historically lower than the rest of the population. This year, 600,000 registered for the first time on the electoral register, according to the NGO Voto Joven.

Pollster Delphos estimates that between 59% and 60% of Venezuelans are willing to vote.

“Mechanisms of despair have been generated (…) such as the arrests of young activists. This also discourages voting.“explains Mariandreina Montilla, from Voto Joven.

“Young people see no future“, adds Félix Seijas, director of Delphos.

There are 21.6 million voters on the electoral roll, out of a population of about 30 million people. But it is estimated that only 17 million who are in Venezuela and did not migrate will be able to vote.

“There is no life plan here, neither economic, nor work, nor social.“complains Ana Colmenares, a 20-year-old psychology student.The country has not changed since I was born. There is nothing else but this, so it is a constant disappointment.”, he adds, declaring himself “apolitical”, although he thinks he will go to vote.

The Venezuelan economy The economy shrank by 80% in seven years and had four consecutive years of hyperinflation. The economic, political and humanitarian crisis has forced some 7 million people to migrate abroad in the last decade, according to UN figures.

Voting incentive

Groups of young activists linked to political parties are carrying out activities to encourage voting. One of them is the Future Movement, created to refresh the image of Chavismo.

“People are asking: Where is Futuro? Futuro is in the streets supporting Nicolás!“, chant the militants to the rhythm of kettledrums and drums in Agua de Maíz, a poor neighborhood in Caracas.

“We are sure that the economic recovery will become widespread and will expand.“,” says Freddy Lovera, 27, confidently.

Paola Gomez, 21, declares herself “revolutionary since I was in my mother’s belly”, a leader in her community.

“We have faith that Venezuela improve every day more“, says the young woman.I grew up in that world, in the world of love, when (former President Hugo) Chávez was there.”, he describes.

“Venezuela of the future”

Like many other young Venezuelans, De Nobrega would consider leaving the country if Ripe is re-elected.

“I’m sure it is Ripe wins, inflation is going to skyrocket again and one of the things that I am constantly worried about is providing” economically to the family.

“I would have to leave because I feel that I could not contribute what I should contribute.“, Explain.

According to a study by the polling firm ORC Consultores, 18% of Venezuelans would leave within six months if Maduro remains in power, and 17% in the following 18 months.

But many of them also dream of staying, “emigrate to the Venezuela from the future”, a slogan that emerged from a debate among young people in a podcast promoted by political scientist Ana Milagros Parra, 27, and her colleague Ricardo del Búfalo.

The invitation is to emigrate to the “Venezuela that they are going to build“, explains Parra.