Venezuela democracy vs. dictatorship

By: Pedro Corzo - 14/01/2025

Guest columnist.
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This January 10th was the turning point for Venezuela. Regardless of the results of that great day, the country will not be the same. The victory of democracy will be an invaluable benefit for all, but even if this does not happen, the constant effort, the willingness to risk both life and freedom for a just cause, are signs of an edifying patriotism.

In the event of a victory for democracy, which I see as a very difficult task, the supporters of the dictatorship will create a process of ungovernability in pursuit of chaos. Castro-Chavism will not rest, unless it is absolutely defeated.

The display of dignity and courage that President-elect Edmundo González and leader María Corina Machado and their allies have given, encourages the people who support them, makes their enemies tremble, and also demonstrates that it is possible to resist and get closer to victory for the cause, an example that must re-energize those of us who suffer from these dictatorships.

After January 10, it is to be expected that the contenders will assume roles that are even more antagonistic than those experienced. The confrontation between repression and resistance will become more acute, but I do not believe, to the country's regret, that the hostility will die out like when a switch is turned off.

Both the autocracy led by Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, and the democratic proposal of the elected president, González and María Corina Machado, have put Venezuela at an unprecedented crossroads for the country itself and for the hemisphere. The South American country has historically been one of the protagonists of the continent since the times of the Liberator.

The situation in Venezuela is very unique. It suffers from a dictatorship that calls elections, loses them because it does not have the support of the people, and despite controlling the electoral machinery, cannot take possession of the records. Meanwhile, it faces an opposition capable of resurrecting itself after being practically dead, thanks to the electoral feat of González and Machado, who restored the hope of change in the people, a feat almost as important as the restoration of democracy.

All Venezuelans, opposition, government and people in general, are playing for their future. The parties have a great responsibility, which is why we must all take sides in the trench we have chosen, we must fight hard, we cannot make concessions, the warring factions must be convinced that there is no second chance.

González and María Corina Machado are obliged to bet very strongly in favor of their proposals. There is no room for hesitation or concessions to the enemy, as they have shown up to now. The fight will have to be very hard and they are surely prepared to confront the evil of Castro-Chavismo, which, faced with the risk of losing power, can resort to the entire criminal arsenal at its disposal.

Maduro and his criminal associates are aware of the broad popular support that the González-Machado duo has earned with great perseverance, courage and decorum. They know that if they respect the popular will, they will leave the government with all the consequences that would ensue.

There is no doubt that González has justice on his side. The people elected him and repudiated the continuation of Castro-Chavismo that has caused vast and profound destruction in the South American nation, but we should all be aware that good intentions alone do not lead to the materialization of our ideals. Many tools are necessary and the president-elect has shown that he is alert by sending a message to the members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) in which he asks the military to fulfill their constitutional duty and reject any attempt to usurp power by the dictator, Nicolás Maduro, alluding to the 1999 Constitution, promoted by the autocrat Hugo Chávez Frías.

Edmundo González has completed an international journey to raise awareness in democratic countries. He has met with many other leaders who hopefully will tell their diplomatic representatives accredited in Venezuela to accompany him to the inauguration ceremony, while María Corina Machado and her supporters have mobilized the people to ratify, no matter what, the vote they cast on July 28.

However, we know that Maduro will not lack accomplices, that he will have anti-democratic pages from Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Colombia, Brazil, Honduras and Mexico, among others, which is why freedom is in danger.

«The opinions published herein are the sole responsibility of its author».