– Maduro’s main electoral opponent says referendum was a sham

VENEZUELA’s opposition candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, María Corina Machado, has said that the December 3 referendum by the Maduro regime in Venezuela to annex Guyana’s Essequibo, was not only a “total failure” but a waste of time.

During an interview with FRANCE 24, Machado said that the referendum was a mechanism used by the Maduro regime as a distraction amid the challenging Venezuelan political, economic, and social climate leading up to the 2024 presidential elections.

According to Machado, the lacklustre participation in the referendum, despite threats of consequences, reflects a significant defeat for Nicolas Maduro and his regime.

“This referendum not only was unnecessary but inconvenient… What happened this Sunday …was a total failure for the regime. The images speak for themselves; people simply did not show up even though they were threatened, even with losing your food stamps or their jobs. And this is certainly a huge defeat for Nicolas Maduro and his regime,” Machado said.

The Venezuelan leader said that she did not vote, since the matter was rightfully before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and there is where arguments have to be put forward.

Despite the ICJ ruling just days earlier for provisional measure explicitly prohibiting Venezuela from seizing control of the Essequibo, Maduro unveiled plans to redraw his country’s map, asserting territorial dominance.

He is also imposing restrictions, including an ultimatum for investors to leave within three months.

However, according to Machado, this is a “desperate” ploy by Maduro maybe to stall the upcoming elections.

“I know Nicolas Maduro and the regime are desperate because they know that they have already lost the election. More than 85-90% of people reject the regime. In the past they have been able to do absolutely crazy things and they’re desperate at this point.

“But I do believe that the sense and rational thoughts of not only of other sectors among the regime and but also in the Venezuelan military will prevail and that we will do what we should do, which is present a very strong and well supported arguments at the court which we need to convey before April,” she said.

She explained that based on her backing, she has an “huge opportunity” to defeat the Maduro regime.

While acknowledging challenges, Machado sees an opportune moment to defeat the Maduro regime, highlighting its weakened position. She underscored the regime’s desperation for negotiations due to a lack of resources and suggested that the United States could play a crucial role in these discussions.

“We have a huge opportunity now, but as well as a totally different country, the regime is in its weakest position ever,” she declared.

She also denied ever calling for a foreign military intervention against Maduro, claiming she only advocated for a humanitarian intervention.

Contrary to claims, Machado denied advocating for foreign military intervention against Maduro, asserting that her focus has always been on humanitarian intervention.