The Venezuelan opposition has announced that it will present candidates in the November 21 elections

At a virtual press conference, The Venezuelan Unitary Platform (PUV) has announced that it will present candidates in the regional elections on November 21, in what will be the first electoral participation since 2017.

In a statement, the PUV underlined: “We are announcing to the national and international community our participation in the regional and municipal process of November 21, 2021, with the Democratic Unity Table (MUD) card. We made this decision primarily after an extensive and difficult internal deliberation process involving local, regional and national leaders. We are moved by the difficult situation our country is going through, the sense of urgency to find permanent solutions to our suffering and the goal of strengthening unity.”.

In this sense, the coalition declared: “We know these elections will not be fair or conventional elections. The dictatorship has imposed serious obstacles that jeopardize the expression of change of the Venezuelan people. However, we understand that they will be a useful field of struggle to strengthen citizenship and promote the real solution to the serious crisis our country is going through: free presidential and legislative elections. We will organize, mobilize and strengthen ourselves in unity in the service of the democratic reinstitutionalization of Venezuela ”.

In another section of the statement, this sector of the Venezuelan opposition said: “We stress that This decision complements the efforts in Mexico and indicates a peaceful and negotiated solution. An organized and mobilized country can raise its voice with more force to demand democracy, the reinstitutionalization of powers, and lift Venezuelans out of the misery and poverty in which they are today plunged ”.

“We recognize the work, effort and dedication of all Venezuelans who have stood firm in this fight that has grown. It is especially necessary to underline the work of the men and women who are active in political parties or belong to social organizations. Likewise, we appreciate the unwavering support of the free world and the international allies of the Venezuelan people.. This decision challenges us and demands the best of all. In unity, we will move firmly and optimistically towards democracy», The highlighted letter.

In the meantime, the statement concluded: “We assume the commitment to redouble our efforts to motivate the Venezuelan people to be part of this episode of struggle and to ensure that, on November 22, we managed to move forward on the path that will lead us to resolve the serious crisis. in Venezuela.: a national agreement and free presidential and legislative elections ”.

The opposition waived the presidential elections of 2018 and the legislative elections of 2020, which he described as fraudulent. Participation in the November vote is a central issue in a new round of negotiations with the regime that will resume on September 3 in Mexico City. Politicians called on Maduro to establish basic electoral guarantees to ensure a free and fair electoral process, and to invite international observation missions.

One of the reasons why the opposition would decide to run is that the European Union is leaning towards the deployment of an election observation mission in November., two sources told Bloomberg. The EU said it would only monitor the vote if the opposition participatedthey added.

Besides, the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela extended until September 1 the deadline for nominating candidates for regional and municipal elections on November 21, which, according to the electoral calendar, expired on Sunday, August 29.

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