Venezuela Elections: Competing Under Autocratic Conditions

Democracy is once again on the ballot in Venezuela, but will the people’s voice be heard? A new report from the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, Transparency Electoral, and Mi Voto Cuenta examines the Venezuela 2024 Elections: Competing Under Autocratic Conditions.

The authors find the following:

• Autocratic Overtures: The elections in Venezuela are being organized in an increasingly autocratic environment.
• Polarized Competition: The race is polarized between Nicolás Maduro, the current president and leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), and Edmundo González, candidate of the opposition Democratic Unity Platform.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Venezuela is in a humanitarian crisis with millions fleeing the country, which has created significant regional instability.
• Electoral Manipulation: The National Electoral Council (CNE) is subordinate to the government and has obstructed proper voter registrations for those at home and abroad.
• History of Fraud and Rejection of Results: The Venezuelan regime has a history of proven election fraud and dismissal of legitimate results.
• Criminalization of the Opposition: The opposition campaign faces rampant persecution and restrictions.
• Biased “Electoral Observation”: International electoral observation is dominated by organizations aligned with the government.
• Uncertainty about Transition: There is concern about how the democratic transition of power will be managed if the government loses the election.  

Read the full report here.