MIAMI.- They were deprived of the right to vote, but not of their enthusiasm. They were robbed many times but they never abandoned hope. They were forced to leave their land, but they did not take away their homeland. Thousands of Venezuelans gathered today in Miami in an atmosphere of joy, optimism and faith to celebrate what many hope will be the end of Chavismo. In fact, this is indicated by disparate preliminary polls in the presidential elections in Venezuela, where the current ruler Nicolás Maduro and the opposition candidate Edmundo González are facing each other.
Numerous personalities attended the José Martí Park, such as Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava, Doral Mayor Christie Fraga, Miami Lakes Councilman Manny Cid, his rival in the race for mayor of Miami Dade Alexander Otaola and Commissioner Joe Carollo, among others.
Salazar said to THE AMERICAS DAILY “It is Venezuela’s time. From Washington we have warned the tyrant Nicolas Maduro of the consequences of any electoral fraud or reprisals against the people.”
For his part, Levine Cava reiterated his support for the Venezuelan community, an integral part of the demographic makeup of Miami Dade. Despite the difficulties faced by Venezuelans in Miami, many of whom are living legally in the United States, they have not been able to participate in the elections in their home country due to the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, this has not discouraged them; on the contrary, they have decided to organize peaceful protest centers to support voters abroad and denounce irregularities in the electoral process. These centers also seek to be a meeting point and support for the Venezuelan diaspora, which is struggling to keep alive the hope of a better future for their nation.
The electoral process in Venezuela has been the subject of numerous complaints. According to the National Electoral Council (CNE), 21 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote, but only 69,000 of them will be able to do so from abroad, which represents just 0.32% of the electoral roll. The Venezuelan Electoral Observatory (OEV) has pointed out that the regime imposed a series of obstacles and restrictive regulations that prevented the registration of millions of Venezuelans outside the country, thus limiting their participation in this crucial process.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Joe Carollo, a victim of a communist regime, forced to separate from his parents as part of Operation Pedro Pan, emphasized the similarities of those forced into exile after suffering the boot of dictatorships: “Today I feel blessed to see so many Venezuelan brothers demanding freedom. I know how much they suffer, my wife is Venezuelan and I have experienced it firsthand. For me, offering them support is a duty.”
Otaola, for his part, asserted that: “Venezuelans had to learn from Cubans when we warned them of the danger of communism, and now it is up to Cubans to learn from Venezuelans that it can be defeated.”
Despite these challenges, the Venezuelan community in Miami continues to demonstrate a strong sense of community and an unwavering faith in the possibility of political change in their country. As they await the election results with hope, they continue to advocate for democracy and human rights. The mobilization and enthusiasm demonstrated at these events reflect a deep desire for freedom and a brighter future for Venezuela.
Messages from María Corina Machado, Congressman Carlos Giménez and Senator Rick Scott have reached the monitoring center.
