The Venezuelan people want democracy. Could 2024 be their year? | Opinion

Last weekend, Venezuelans turned out in overwhelming numbers to vote in primary elections for a pro-democracy opposition candidate to face off against the regime of Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 presidential elections. Their choice? Maria Corina Machado. The leader of the Vente Venezuela opposition party and a longtime advocate for democratic change won over 90% of the provisional vote.

This presents the most significant opportunity for Venezuela’s democratic actors in some time — provided they remain united and can count on the support of the U.S. and other democracies.

In recent years, Venezuela’s opposition has suffered the fate of so many democratic movements living under dictatorship. Internal divisions and disagreements about strategy combined with the regime’s consistent use of electoral fraud and manipulation of electoral rules left the opposition with little chance of competing in an increasingly rigged system. In response, the decision not to participate in elections effectively ceded power to the regime.

By participating in the upcoming elections, though, the opposition seeks to build on popular momentum for change to present a serious challenge to the Maduro regime. But democratic actors have a difficult road ahead. Despite recent conditional sanctions relief from the United States, Machado remains banned from holding public office. And of course, Maduro — currently polling at 10% favorability — is already attempting to undermine the primary results with claims of fraud and attacks against Machado, promising that she will not be allowed to run.

The next few months will present additional obstacles and hurdles as the regime attempts to discredit the opposition. In any scenario, the opposition must play the hand they’ve been dealt, and put the onus on the regime to play by the rules or face additional international opprobrium. If Machado is not allowed to run, the international community must coordinate a robust new sanctions package in support of free elections.

The opposition must demonstrate to Venezuelans — many of whom do not know what democracy looks like — what representative government can deliver and why it is worth fighting for. This means undertaking a united effort to educate citizens on the electoral process and the rudimentary facts of democratic governance, responding to constituent concerns and providing services that correspond to those priorities as best as is possible given Venezuela’s ongoing humanitarian, economic and political crises.

These upcoming elections are pivotal not just for Venezuela, but for the entire region. The Maduro regime’s economic mismanagement, rampant corruption, reliance on narco-trafficking and support for terrorist groups have made it a malignant force for over a decade. The country’s collapse has prompted nearly 8 million people — a quarter of Venezuela’s population — to flee since 2014. The vast majority have gone to neighboring countries, straining their economies and creating a humanitarian crisis across the region. Hundreds of thousands have also migrated to the United States — exacerbating our own migrant crisis. Genuine democratic reform would not only benefit the people of Venezuela — it would be a first step towards ameliorating the many problems created by this regime.

Last week’s primary process was a historic success for the opposition and the country as a whole. Venezuelans mobilized in large numbers at home and abroad — defying threats, censorship and logistical obstacles to vote, and coalescing around a single candidate despite interference from the regime. Venezuelans have demonstrated that they want change and will continue to fight for their country. It’s now up to the opposition to seize this historic opportunity, and for the international community to hold the Maduro regime to account.

Antonio Garrastazu is the senior director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Republican Institute.