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Venezuelan Opposition Summit Prioritizes New Elections

Amid technical timelines, “realpolitik,” and the need for unity

Beyond dates, attendees at the summit in Panama agreed on the urgency of establishing an immediate electoral timetable.

By Luz Mely Reyes (Efecto Cocuyo)

HAVANA TIMES – During the Panama Summit, the strongest consensus centered on an unavoidable necessity: presidential elections that include not only technical guarantees, but political ones as well. This principle is the cornerstone of the Panama Agreement, whose contents will be released in the coming days.

To make these elections possible, certain agreements already exist. From a technical standpoint, organizing them within seven months is feasible; however, in the political arena the playing field is far more complex. For that reason, the realistic timeline for voting points toward the second half of 2027.

Beyond the dates, participants agreed on the urgency of establishing an immediate electoral schedule. This step is crucial to overcoming the two main current obstacles: the reluctance of the interim government and the apparent comfort of the US administration with the “status quo.”

The Machado Factor and the Cracks Within the Unitary Platform

How can progress be made under this scenario?

María Corina Machado has assumed the role of political “weaver,” driven not only by the conviction that she will be the presidential candidate, but because her proposal is the one that has led to this new “political moment,” despite criticism from her adversaries.

At present, she leads all opinion polls, but in Venezuelan politics leading the marathon does not guarantee........

© Havana Times