Venezuela elections 2021: Opposition demands “victory” in Barinas, the fiefdom of Hugo Chávez

The opposition in Venezuela He is demanding a “victory” in the birthplace of Hugo Chávez, the state of Barinas, where three days after the regional elections the winner of the governorship, dominated since 1998 by relatives of the late former president, is still on hold.

“Yes it could”! ”, shouted about 300 protesters who concentrated this Wednesday about 50 meters from the headquarters of the electoral authority in Barinas (west), backing the opposition candidate, Freddy Superlano, who claims to have broken the hegemony of the Chávez.

The ruler’s candidate United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), the current governor Argenis Chavez, is the brother of the former president (1999-2013).

The National Electoral Council (CNE) awarded the PSUV victories in the mayor’s office of Caracas and in 19 of 23 governorates in Sunday’s elections, with the return of the main opposition parties after years of boycott and allegations of “fraud.”

The opposition, which refused to participate in the 2018 elections, in which the president was reelected Nicolas Maduro, and those of 2020, in which Chavismo regained control of Parliament, in turn won three states.

Only the results remain to be confirmed in Barinas, where Hugo Chávez was born on July 28, 1954, awaiting final minutes.

“In a few hours our victory should be made official”, told AFP on Wednesday Superlane, who previously declared at a press conference that the delays with the minutes are “excuses.”

On Sunday, in a first bulletin with 90.21% of the minutes transmitted throughout the country, the CNE gave an advantage to Argenis Chavez with 93,097 votes (37.05% of the counted votes) by 92,424 of Superlane (36,79%).

“We will continue (in the street) until our candidate is proclaimed”, Leidy Díaz, a 29-year-old teacher, said at the opposition demonstration. “After 23 years of enduring the bad governments of the Chávez family, a few hours or a day of waiting (…) are nothing,” said Jean Colmenarez, a 28-year-old lawyer.

This Wednesday there were also protests in the neighboring state of Apure, where the ruling candidate was proclaimed the winner, which the opposition candidate does not recognize. The demonstrations were dispersed by the police with tear gas.

“Long live Chávez!”

“Long live Chávez! Long live Barinas! Long live the triumph of the revolution! “he shouted on a dais Argenis Chavez, giving himself the winner, in a rally that he himself broadcast this Wednesday on Instagram.

Relatives of Chávez they have monopolized the government of this region of 970,000 inhabitants since the former president came to power. There is Sabaneta, his hometown of 28,000 inhabitants.

The chain began with his father, Hugo de los Reyes Chávez, governor from 1998 to 2008; he continued with his brother Adán, current Venezuelan ambassador to Cuba, between 2006 and 2016; and continued with Argenis, who has held the position since 2017.

Zenaida Gallardo was appointed governor for a few months in 2017, appointed by Adán Chávez, who then resigned to join the cabinet of Maduro, Chávez’s successor after his death from cancer in 2013.