Opposition candidates in Venezuela meet to “articulate visions”

( Spanish) — The 14 pre-candidates who will participate in the primary elections of the Venezuelan opposition, scheduled for next October 22, held a meeting on Monday under the mediation of the National Commission for Primaries.

The Commission, which is independent of the Venezuelan government, reported through its social networks that it played a role of coordination and moderation during the meeting. He assured that this allowed political leaders to share “visions and actions on the process”, and stressed that it also served to evaluate common strategies “in the face of threats against the primary election.”

The team of the pre-candidate for Vente Venezuela, María Corina Machado, confirmed to that she had to withdraw earlier because she had another previous commitment.

At the end of the meeting, the president of the Primary Commission, Jesús María Casal, pointed out that the exchange of just over two hours took place in a cordial atmosphere. He added that this space was founded to “discuss and articulate actions”, with the intention of allowing periodic meetings between the pre-candidates.

He also explained that Robert García attended on behalf of the Copei party candidate, Roberto Enríquez, who is currently out of the country.

For his part, Henrique Capriles, candidate for Primero Justicia, made a new call on his Twitter account for unity and to avoid disqualifications among the candidates for the opposition presidential candidacy, considering that this only strengthens the ruling party and weakens the cause of the opposition.

The meeting was held after the disqualification from holding public office and registering the candidacy of at least three of the pre-candidates in this political contest. Also while awaiting the response of two appeals filed before the Supreme Court of Justice, which have called into question the holding of these internal elections.

In the midst of deep fragmentations, the Venezuelan opposition self-managed primary elections for October 22 to elect a single candidate, as a strategy to confront the candidate of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, who is still not clear if he will be the current president , Nicolás Maduro, or someone else. Presidential elections, according to the Constitution, must be held next year, however the date has not yet been announced.