In Venezuela, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is facing pressure to select a substitute to potentially run in her place in the upcoming July presidential election, according to five sources familiar with the situation.
Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer, emerged victorious in the opposition’s nominating contest in October, but her candidacy was banned by Venezuela’s top court due to her support of U.S. sanctions and other reasons.
Despite the ban, Machado has refused to consider a substitute, alleging that it is a ploy by President Nicolas Maduro to shield himself from a credible opposition challenger.
As the deadline approaches for candidates to formally register between March 21 and March 25, with the option for substitutes until April 20, pressure is mounting on Machado to make a decision. The election is scheduled for July 28.
This week, leaders of opposition parties urged Machado to establish a strategy and, while expressing support for her candidacy, they are pushing for her to nominate an alternative candidate, according to sources within the opposition.
One source mentioned, “There are pressures on her to not leave (the substitution) too late.”
When approached for comment, Machado did not respond. A spokesperson for her party indicated that they are considering various scenarios but did not provide further details.
During an event in the central state of Carabobo, Machado responded vaguely when asked about the potential rejection of her registration, stating, “One day at a time.” She also added, “I think Maduro needs to think really hard about how he will look to the country.”
The U.S. government has called for the Maduro administration to lift the ban on Machado, with recent remarks suggesting that Maduro has not adhered to an election guarantee agreement signed last year.
An additional source mentioned that Washington could be influencing Machado to decide on a substitute candidate, although a State Department official, Brian Nichols, stated that the U.S. will follow the opposition’s lead.
A spokesperson from the White House National Security Council affirmed, “The United States will continue to support the will and the right of Venezuelans and Venezuelan political parties to select their presidential candidates.”
Washington has indicated that oil sanctions relief will expire in mid-April unless Machado is allowed to run.
Prior to the October primary, multiple candidates had proposed a substitution plan, but no agreement was reached. It is also possible that any substitute candidate could face a ban.
(Reporting by Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas in Caracas, additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington and Tibisay Romero and Johnny Carvajal in Valencia; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
