Venezuelan civil society pushes for early presidential elections amid regime delay

Mercedes de Freitas, director of Transparencia Venezuela, warned that the postponed presidential election benefits the authoritarian regime, saying “El tiempo juega a favor del blanqueamiento y la normalización de una dictadura.” She urged that free elections be held as soon as possible and called on foreign investors to tie their investments to genuine democratic conditions.

On 9 June, a coalition of trade unions gathered outside the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Caracas, demanding the resignation of the council’s rectors and the publication of an electoral timetable. The protesters cited 3 July as the deadline for the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez and shouted “¡Elecciones ya!”. Both groups highlighted the need for an urgent electoral schedule to prevent further consolidation of the interim regime.