Millions of Venezuelans renewed their commitment to the socialist process by voting into office candidates of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in 20 of 23 states in the country.
The decisive victories in Sunday’s election meant picking up five states previously held by right wing politicians, including a stunning upset in Zulia, Venezuela’s most populous and oil-rich state. Zulia had been considered a shoo-in for the right wing.
PSUV also gained seats in Carabobo, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, and Táchira. Adán Chávez, brother of President Hugo Chávez, won reelection as the governor of Bariñas. Aristóbulo Istúriz, a leading Afro-Venezuelan activist, educator and current Vice President of the National Assembly, became the next governor of Anzoátegui, in a hotly-contested election.
Some right-wing media outlets alleged, apparently without irony, that the voting date could hurt their chosen candidates since the rich Venezuelans who overwhelmingly support the opposition typically begin their holiday vacations early in December. Meanwhile the organized and politically-conscious Venezuelan working class who comprise the vast majority of the population readily took to the nation’s 12,748 poll sites, with lines forming even before they opened. Speaking from Miranda, youth activist Carlos Ruiz, who organized for Elías Jaua’s campaign, told Liberation News, “We were in the streets from 4:00 AM. The voting process went quickly, without complications, demonstrating once again how democratic and participatory the Venezuelan people are.” Following the recent presidential election with 80 percent voter turnout, Sunday showed a turnout of 54 percent, a figure not atypical of regional elections.
Right wing politician Henrique Capriles Radonski, who lost to President Chávez in October’s presidential election, managed to narrowly edge out former Vice President Elías Jaua of PSUV in the single race where opposition forces focused the most resources, with the understanding that a loss for Capriles in Miranda could represent a heavy blow to the fragile coalition that the Venezuelan right wing has managed to pull together. In his subdued acceptance speech, Capriles told followers, “I’m happy for Miranda, but not for Venezuela.”
While socialists did not win the battle for Miranda, the sweeping victory in 20 states marks a resounding confirmation that, even without Chávez’ physical presence, Venezuelans remain committed to the socialist process nearly 14 years after it started.
Representatives of President Chávez reassured his supporters worldwide that the leader is recuperating well from last week’s cancer surgery and described him as closely following the election results from Cimeq hospital in Havana, Cuba. In his closing comments to Liberation News, Ruiz took the opportunity to address President Chávez, “I send him a revolutionary salute in solidarity from the bottom of my heart.” Millions across Venezuela and around the world echo his sentiments and stand together with President Chávez as the struggle moves forward.
