In Sabana de Mendoza, a small Andean town in Venezuela, opposition leader María Corina Machado delivers an encouraging speech to her supporters. Despite being banned from running in the upcoming elections scheduled for July 28, she continues to tour the country and shake hands with voters. Her charisma and fame have made her a formidable force in the political landscape, and she is determined to use them to bring about positive change in Venezuela.
As she stands on stage, surrounded by her loyal followers, Machado emphasizes the importance of voting for Edmundo González Urrutia, who was elected by the opposition coalition after she was disqualified from running. Despite not being well-known, supporters like Danis Cegarra are eager to support González as a candidate. They see him as the best chance for a better future for Venezuela.
González is the third candidate promoted by the Democratic Unitary Platform this year. While Machado was initially their top choice, legal issues prevented her from running for office. Now, she presents herself at rallies as an “opposition leader” rather than a candidate. González himself has yet to make a public appearance alongside Machado, but his diplomatic background may pose an interesting dynamic if he ever does so.
Despite their differences in personalities and campaigning styles, both Machado and González share the same goal: to bring about positive change in Venezuela. While Machado uses her fiery campaigning style to mobilize voters for González’s campaign, his calm demeanor may offer a unique perspective on how to achieve that goal. Together, they will continue to work towards creating a better future for all Venezuelans.
As night falls at the intersection packed in all four directions and rally attendees shout into their cell phones, it becomes clear that despite their different approaches and personalities, both Machado and González are united in their pursuit of change for Venezuela.
