Capriles refuses to participate in the December elections in Venezuela if they are not postponed

Henrique Capriles, during a ceremony in Caracas.Rafael Briceño Sierralta / GETTY

The Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles made his participation in the legislative elections, called by President Nicolás Maduro for December 6, conditional on Wednesday if there is no postponement and if an independent international observation is not achieved.

"This election has to be postponed and we demand that it be postponed," said the former governor of the State of Miranda in an appearance broadcast through social networks.

The reason, in addition to the insecurity generated by the coronavirus pandemic, is the lack of conditions for independent control of the electoral process, as the mission sent by the European Union verified in recent days.

“There is a possibility: move the election.

Why do not do it?

Because there is a political calculation.

Because it doesn't suit someone in the ruling party, "continued Capriles, who has spent months looking for a way out of the serious political and social crisis that is hitting the South American country based on what he calls a" real political event. "

In other words, agree to compete at the polls with the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) with the aim of not losing control of the National Assembly, dominated by the opposition since 2015. This approach also represents an alternative to the path taken by Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader who in early 2019 launched a pulse on Maduro to try to evict him from power.

Guaidó is recognized as interim president by around 60 countries and formed a parallel structure that, however, has only symbolic scope and has not prevented the successor of Hugo Chávez from continuing to maintain control of the state.

The first week of September, the presidential pardon granted by Maduro to more than 100 political prisoners and persecuted people again moved the board.

Capriles, very critical of Guaidó's strategy, then decided to open himself up to participate in the parliamentary elections.

At the same time, the Maduro Executive invited the European Union and the United Nations to attend the elections as observers.

Several European countries in favor of a political solution to the crisis, led by Spain, assured that they would do everything possible to ensure that the elections were held in a democratic framework.

Capriles himself continues to bet on the leading role of Europe, which, unlike the United States, maintains a more open position to dialogue in Venezuela.

“The position in front wants to self-extend the Assembly, an interim government that has no internal control, a consultation that is not binding.

I do not want to miss this opportunity.

Who has a stellar, starring opportunity right now?

Europe.

For the first time in 14 years, the European Union has been invited to be an electoral observer.

That can open a space for negotiation so that this election does not end up being anyone's calculation, "said the leader in a recent interview with EL PAÍS.

His call to Brussels collided with the conditions that the mission sent to evaluate that possibility.

The EU team established that the conditions for a "fair, democratic and competitive" election on 6 December are not yet in place.