Venezuela’s opposition has synthesized its new battle plan by electing María Corina Machado as their leader against Maduro’s government. One harsh critic of Maduro, Machado has pledged to build international alliances while organizing movements to restore democracy in Venezuela.
This election, however, comes on the heel of an extended phase of political gridlock whereby the opposition has had major difficulties throttling the organization against Maduro’s regime. Live and choke during siesta, there have been rampant cries for reforms against corruption, economic mismanagement, and human rights abuses under Maduro’s rule.
Machado’s rise to power is hence treated as a potential turning point for the opposition, but analysts realize that progressing could be impeded by fractures within the very group and administration crackdowns. In the meantime, international observers will be watching her next move closely in order to assess how viable change is for the democracy in Venezuela.