Elections in Venezuela: Manuel Rosales After Defeat Asserts: We Will Persist on the Electoral Path with Truth and Unity, Rejecting Abstention and Sanctions
Former governor of Zulia state, Manuel Rosales, announced on May 26, 2025, his firm decision to remain on the electoral path, despite the defeat suffered in the regional and legislative elections.
At a press conference from the Government Palace in Maracaibo, Rosales delivered a message of resilience and commitment, asserting that politics does not end with a defeat, but rather opens a new chapter in his struggle. “We will continue on the electoral path, even with the pain it causes us, with the truth in front, without deceptive promises or words meant to mislead the people” stated the opposition leader.
Rosales, who lost the governorship of Zulia to the Chavista candidate Luis Caldera, acknowledged his defeat with a calm yet firm speech. With only 35.35% of the vote, according to official data, the former governor thanked those who supported his candidacy and his party, Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT), as well as the allies who backed him.
“My thanks to those who protected the votes at the polling stations, to those responsible for mobilization, and to all who supported us” he noted. Despite the setback, Rosales made it clear that his fight is not over: “This is not the end, it is a new chapter in my life and in my political struggle.”
One of the most forceful points in his speech was the criticism of sectors of the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, who promoted abstention in the May 25 elections. Rosales called this strategy a “categorically mistaken message” that suggested change was near and that abstention was essential to achieve it.
“I hope those who promoted abstention do not regret it” he expressed, lamenting the massive electoral defeat of the opposition in a context where Chavismo consolidated its territorial power by winning three additional regions, including Zulia.
Manuel Rosales: A Commitment to the Electoral Route.
Manuel Rosales, leader of UNT and a prominent figure in the Venezuelan opposition, served as governor of Zulia from 2000 to 2008 and again from 2021 until his recent defeat.
In 2006, he ran for president against Hugo Chávez, and in 2024, he took on a last-minute presidential candidacy after María Corina Machado was disqualified and Corina Yoris was blocked by the National Electoral Council (CNE).
His decision to run in 2024 was seen as an attempt to salvage the opposition’s electoral path, although it sparked controversy within the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD).
Rosales has defended the electoral route as the only viable solution for Venezuela. In his address, he reiterated that the opposition must follow a “civic, electoral, and democratic path,” ruling out any alternative. “There is no other way, and if someone has one, let them present it — I’m ready to hear it,” he challenged.
The Rise of Chavismo and abstention as a Double-Edged Sword.
The National Electoral Council (CNE), under government control, announced that the Great Patriotic Pole, a coalition led by Nicolás Maduro, obtained 82.68% of the votes, securing 23 of the 24 governorships and a crushing majority in the National Assembly. This result came amid high abstention, with electoral participation barely reaching 42.6%.
The high abstention was promoted by opposition sectors led by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, who called for a boycott of the elections in protest of the 2024 presidential fraud. However, this strategy resulted in a significant decline in opposition representation, which went from controlling four governorships in 2021 to just one in 2025.
The EU condemns the elections in Venezuela for taking place in a repressive environment.
Meanwhile, the European Union has denounced the elections in Venezuela as a process marked by the repression of dissent and the lack of democratic guarantees.
In an official statement, the EU High Representative expressed deep concern over the highly restrictive environment in which the elections were held, noting that Venezuelan authorities have intensified repression and harassment against the opposition and civil society since the presidential elections of July 2024.
Furthermore, the EU has urged Nicolás Maduro’s government to end all unjust and arbitrary detentions and to unconditionally release all political prisoners.
The international community, including the United States and the Organization of American States, has backed these demands, calling for impartial verification of the election results and respect for human rights in Venezuela.
This statement by the European Union underscores the growing international concern over the authoritarian drift of the Chavista regime and the urgent need to restore democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.
Russia Backs Venezuela’s Disputed Electoral Process.
The Russian government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has praised the parliamentary and regional elections held in Venezuela on May 25, 2025, describing them as «well-organized and without violations.» This statement stands in stark contrast to widespread allegations of fraud, political persecution, and voter turnout that failed to surpass 43%, according to official figures from the National Electoral Council (CNE), which is controlled by the ruling Chavista regime. While the opposition denounces a manipulated and untrustworthy process, Moscow continues to legitimize Nicolás Maduro as a reliable partner in the region.
Russia’s endorsement not only highlights a long-standing geopolitical alliance but also appears to be a calculated move to counter international criticism accusing the Venezuelan regime of human rights abuses and systemic electoral fraud.
The absence of independent observers, the arbitrary disqualification of opposition leaders, and the wave of repression leading up to the vote reinforce the perception that what took place in Venezuela was far from a democratic election. Far from a civic celebration, the country experienced an election day marked by fear, political fragmentation, and the forced silence of a disillusioned citizenry.
The need for a unified and strategic opposition.
The fragmentation of the Venezuelan opposition has been one of the main factors allowing Chavismo to remain in power. While some sectors bet on abstention and international denunciation, others, like Rosales, insist on electoral participation as the means to achieve change.
It is imperative that the Venezuelan opposition overcome its divisions and build a unified strategy that combines international pressure with active participation in electoral processes. Only then can it effectively confront the Chavista regime and pave the way for a democratic transition.
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