Gestures in Venezuela

The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, in Caracas (Venezuela) .Press Miraflores / EFE

The succession of events in the last few weeks in Venezuela, including the formation after years of efforts of a new National Electoral Council, suggest a new political stage that must be exploited by all actors, especially within the Caribbean country.

It is undeniable that the gestures are the result of a series of conversations between the Government, the opposition and the international community that have not emerged overnight.

Anything that delves into this path can contribute to alleviate, once and for all, the critical situation that devastates Venezuela due to the drift of Chavismo.

It is clear that any positive gesture by the regime must be viewed with the utmost caution and skepticism: its own history demands it. Without going any further, it is enough to remember how at the end of last year he dynamited the attempt to promote free and fair legislative elections, refusing to accept the conditions for which the European Union worked, among others. This does not mean that options should not be explored. Any negotiation or agreement should not be seen as a way to legitimize Maduro. A pact with the United Nations food program or the participation of the Covax multilateral mechanism is not an oxygen balloon for the regime, but for a population plunged, in its vast majority, in rampant poverty and suffering a catastrophe for years. unprecedented humanitarianism.

It would be naive to think that Chavismo will not continue trying to deepen the rift between the different opposition factions. Hence, it is important to close the ranks, work towards a consensual position —which, ultimately, should be what one aspires to in a hypothetical presidential election— and in the meantime not air differences. The disaffection by politicians in Venezuela is alarming. The internal confrontations do not strengthen Chavismo, which has not gained ground despite remaining in power based on authoritarianism, but they do weaken the opposition more and more.

There is a factor for optimism in this new chapter. The arrival of Joe Biden to the White House has caused the most radical positions of the United States, a key player in this crisis to the extent that it has applied very harsh sanctions against Venezuela, to soften. The efforts of the new North American Administration are destined to achieve free and transparent elections, in tune with what the main EU countries propose, including Spain, which is playing a fundamental role behind the scenes, as highlighted by all the actors. The way to go is still long. It is up to Chavismo to take most of the steps, get away from its regrettable authoritarian drift and open the new path that Venezuela desperately needs.