Venezuela’s political climate intensifies as major participants, such as the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), National Electoral Council (CNE), ruling PSUV party, and international community, gear up for the upcoming opposition primaries on October 22.
The presidential pre-candidates, Parliament, President Nicolás Maduro, Comptroller’s Office, opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria (PU), National Primary Commission (CNP), and the citizens further contribute to the mounting tension.
Recently, the TSJ is under scrutiny for considering a suspension request for the primaries from pre-candidate Luis Ratti, a former Chavismo supporter.
The Comptroller’s Office also keeps undisclosed the list of individuals disqualified from holding public office, creating uncertainty among potential candidates.
Two prominent candidates, María Corina Machado and Henrique Capriles, have already been disqualified from the presidential elections by the Comptroller’s Office.
Meanwhile, the CNE, primarily comprised of government associates, resigned after two years into a seven-year term, leaving the opposition without technical assistance for the October elections.
This has paved the way for the Parliament, mostly pro-government, to nominate new electoral rectors, an action criticized by opposition parties and some NGOs.
Despite the uncertainty, the CNP continues to organize the internal elections, though specific details are yet to be finalized.
The Parliament and President Maduro allege that the opposition conceals disruptive plans.
Maduro has been reinforcing this narrative by holding meetings with the Armed Forces, urging military vigilance against potential destabilization attempts from the opposition.
The opposition, despite efforts to create unity, demonstrates division, particularly evident in a recent debate where candidates failed to reach agreements on the contingency plan if the internal election winner is prevented from registering with the CNE for the presidential elections.
However, they remain resolute in jointly opposing any legal action against the primaries.