On the night of Saturday, September 7th, it was revealed that the winning candidate of the Venezuelan elections on July 28th had gone into exile in Spain. The expulsion of Edmundo González Urrutia was expected, but it still raises questions about Venezuela’s future. Can Nicolás Maduro steal an election with impunity? How can the fight for the restoration of democracy be reconfigured? Is this episode a déjà vu of the country’s turbulent political history? Has this game come to an end?
The news of González Urrutia’s exit was announced by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez through her personal Instagram account. The official stated that “the necessary safe conduct permits were granted in the interest of the country’s political tranquility and peace.” In Venezuela, the metaphor of Groundhog Day has long been used to describe the opposition’s repeated failures in taking shortcuts in their strategy. However, in 2024, the democratic forces united to participate in an election without integrity guarantees, but with a chance of success, breaking the time loop spell.
González Urrutia’s exile to Spain can be seen as a demonstration of Maduro’s power, but it also clearly marks that if the Chavista leader assumes a third term in January, he will be a de facto president. Moisés Durán, a former official in Hugo Chávez’s government, comments that González Urrutia’s departure affects internally but is not decisive in continuing the fight. The various tactics used in Venezuela to remove the chavismo from power, from coups to negotiations, have not yielded significant results in establishing a transition to democracy.
In 2019, Juan Guaidó went into exile, leading to the assumption that Maduro would remain in power for another six years through a rigged election. The government aimed to regain international recognition by cozying up to the US and implementing a neoliberal economic policy inspired by China. Extraordinary events, such as the unexpected election victory on July 28th under María Corina Machado’s leadership, have also played a role in challenging Maduro’s control.
The Maduro government’s decision to steal the presidential election has led to a major setback, with democratic governments refusing to acknowledge him. The US is preparing to impose new sanctions on over 15 officials in response. Recent actions, such as besieging the Argentine Embassy in Caracas and unilaterally withdrawing representation from Brazil, have added to the international pressure on Maduro’s regime. The exile of González Urrutia serves as a wake-up call for the international community to take action against Maduro’s authoritarian actions.
Tamara Taraciuk of the Inter-American Dialogue believes that González Urrutia’s exile is a call for the international community to open their eyes to the ongoing repression in Venezuela. She warns that the regime will try to present it as a victory but urges the world to see through the facade. The time for inaction is over, and the pressure must be increased on those acting with impunity. The events of September 7th serve as a stark reminder of the Maduro regime’s ruthlessness, prompting democrats worldwide to respond accordingly to protect democracy.
