Venezuela: Presidential campaign season begins April 22 /update 6

Event

On Sunday, April 22, the presidential campaign season began in Venezuela ahead of the scheduled May 20 election. President Nicolas Maduro is running for another six-year term, and is not expected to face significant competition in the vote. Opposition parties and leaders are reportedly boycotting the election, and protests and demonstrations are likely in Caracas and in other Venezuelan cities where the opposition has traditionally enjoyed significant support (San Cristóbal, Mérida) in advance of the vote. Incidents of political violence (e.g. assassinations, arrests, etc.) are also possible. A heightened security presence, clashes between protesters and police, and localized transportation disruptions are expected around any protests that do occur. Unrest is possible on election day and following the announcement of the results.

Context

Venezuela's political opposition had notably called for nationwide protests to be held on March 17 to denounce the upcoming presidential elections scheduled on May 20. The demonstrations were organized by the Broad Front for a Free Venezuela (Frente Amplio Venezuela Libre; FAVL) umbrella group, which includes the opposition coalition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) and various unions, business groups, student and teacher organizations, and religious groups. The March 17 protests were the first national mobilization called for by the opposition in 2018.

Advice

Individuals in Venezuela are advised to strictly avoid all protests and political events due to the likelihood of violence and to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate.