In a sharp reversal of strategy, Venezuela’s main opposition parties plan to compete in 2024 presidential elections no matter what conditions the government agrees to beforehand.
Emboldened by this year’s gubernatorial victory in the Chavista stronghold of Barinas, a cattle-raising state in western Venezuela, opposition parties plan to unite behind a single leader, according to interviews with seven officials in the parties.
The opposition will elect its contender in a unified primary next year after whittling down a list of more than a dozen potential nominees including former National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who has argued that he is the legitimate leader of the country and gained recognition from dozens of foreign governments. The winner will take on the Socialist Party’s candidate in 2024 — widely expected to be President Nicolas Maduro himself in a bid for a third, six-year term.
