Venezuela Election: Maria Corina Machado Officially Wins Opposition Primary But Nicolas Maduro Government Now Investigating Her Over Fraud

The Venezuela elections will now officially be Nicolas Maduro vs. Maria Corina Machado after the opposition resoundingly chose her as Maduro's next challenger during the primary election. However, the Venezuelan government is at it again as it has launched a criminal investigation into the opposition primary.

The Venezuelan government claimed that there was alleged fraud during the vote last Sunday, which was organized without any help from the state. It attracted over 2.3 million voters, according to independent and international observers, but the government is disputing those numbers.

Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek Saab was the one who announced the criminal investigation over the alleged fraud, though winner Maria Corina Machado has repeatedly insisted that the voting was transparent and fair, according to Reuters.

"This is the reaction to the monumental challenge to the regime that were the primaries," she said on X (formerly Twitter), with the former lawmaker adding, "We Venezuelans participated in an exemplary citizen election, the results of which we all trust."

However, as it pursues this action, Venezuela may incur the wrath of the US as the Maduro regime struck a deal with the Biden administration that Venezuela would hold free and fair elections without any state interference. The US agreed to ease a few sanctions as Venezuela allows the opposition to choose its own candidate to challenge Maduro and allow international observers to look at the elections.

As for Machado, she has been banned by the Maduro government from holding public office, and the deal with the US does not rescind her ban. Despite this, she still ran and won an overwhelming majority.

Nicolas Maduro Government Still Casts Doubt Into Venezuela Opposition Primary

Machado won approximately 93% of the vote in a massive and historic landslide victory as voters defied expectations even in strongholds of the ruling party loyal to Maduro. Many Venezuelans lined up for hours under the scorching sun just to vote in polling places that ranged from private schools to normal residential homes.

Despite images and videos of the massive turnout, the government is still claiming fraud and risking more sanctions from the US. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez reportedly argued that the turnout was "mathematically impossible," according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, the Venezuela AG is not just looking into claims of fraud but also into "money laundering allegations."

Maria Corina Machado Faces Tall Task as She Faces Nicolas Maduro in 2024

Machado beating Maduro is a tall task given that the West has accused him of rigging the previous election and further plunging Venezuela into a national crisis.

Even if she wins, she would be facing a massive exodus of Venezuelans fleeing their homes in a migration crisis, as well as other socio-economic problems.

Despite this, Machado remains hopeful. In a previous interview with The Guardian, the former lawmaker stated, "I think the regime knows, and it's clear to everyone, that I will beat Maduro by a landslide," before adding, "That's precisely why they are acting desperately and committed this huge mistake. It's going to backfire."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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