Venezuela Opposition Holds Defiant Rally One Month Before Election

Several thousand mobile phones lit up a main boulevard in Venezuela's San Cristobal city in a joyous reception for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, one month before a highly contentious presidential election.

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The passionate 56-year-old isn't running due to being barred by institutions loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. However, she remains the focal point everyone came to see, as residents filled the road on Friday, waving flags, honking horns, and cheering.

Machado has been urging Venezuelans to vote for her replacement, diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, and oust Maduro in the upcoming July 28 election.

Polls consistently show the opposition leading against the incumbent, who has been in power since 2013 and is aiming for a third term.

In a country facing a prolonged economic crisis and international sanctions against its leaders, experts and the opposition both caution about potential fraud or misconduct in the upcoming month.

"We will not tolerate election theft," Machado told AFP. "We are a strong, organized civic movement, not weak."

Standing on a flatbed truck, she greeted a crowd of fans with a wave. As evening descended, their phones lit up the street.

In the heart of San Cristobal, a city bearing the brunt of the economic downturn near the Colombian border, her supporters cheered, chanting "Yes, we can! Yes, we will!" 

Some supporters moved to tears, and ran alongside the truck, hoping for a glance, a wave, or a greeting from the woman affectionately called "the iron lady."

Machado blew kisses and received gifts—rosaries draped around her neck, paintings, shirts, and even a lucky two-dollar bill.

"I'm a soccer coach, and thanks to that bill, I've won two tournaments with my 10-year-olds. But I gave it to her because it will bring the luck to end this dictatorship," Pedro Miguel Suarez told AFP.

'Our Hope'

Machado staunchly opposes Chavismo, the leftist ideology championed by the late President Hugo Chavez and continued by Maduro.

In San Cristobal, she refrained from giving a speech, and her team avoided bringing sound equipment to avoid potential reprisals from pro-Maduro authorities.

Authorities have inspected or shut down around 16 establishments, including hotels, restaurants, and bars that hosted Machado and her team during their campaign tour, as reported by Acceso a la Justicia.

The NGO has reported 46 "arbitrary" arrests ahead of the election, including 18 members of Machado's Vente party.

As the caravan moved forward, some shouted "Freedom!" while others played bugles and violins.

"This was a pilgrimage never seen before," said Trina Rosales, age 60. 

"She's our hope, our freedom," added Michelle Rosales, 40, as they followed the opposition leader for blocks.

Along the way, supporters spontaneously sang the national anthem a cappella.

"I can't believe it," Machado exclaimed. "We've done it!"