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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

August 7, 2025

What Do Venezuela’s Local Vote Results Mean for Maduro?

Venezuela’s ruling party won 85 percent of the mayoral races in the country’s July 27 local elections, President Nicolás Maduro announced. // File Photo: Facebook Page of Nicolás Maduro.

Q

  • Candidates of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela won 285 of the 335 mayorships at stake in the country’s July 27 local elections, President Nicolás Maduro announced. The election came a year after Venezuela’s electoral authority declared a re-election victory for Maduro, a result that was widely disputed. What do the results—and the reported turnout of 44 percent—in the local elections mean for Maduro and his grip on power? What do the results mean for the opposition and the feasibility of its efforts to dislodge Maduro? What is the state of Venezuela’s relations with the United States, and how have they changed since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January?

A

Michael Shifter, senior fellow and former president of the Inter-American Dialogue: “Perhaps the most striking thing about Venezuela’s July 27 local elections is that they were barely noticed. The results—relatively low turnout and significant gains for the United Socialist Party—were as predictable as the brazen and egregious fraud perpetuated by Maduro in the presidential elections just over a year ago, as well as the sham regional and legislative elections in May. They marked yet another step in the march toward entrenching the dictatorship. There are, sadly, few discernible signs that Maduro’s grip on power is weakening. The opposition is fragmented and in an extremely tough spot. To her credit, María Corina Machado is trying to sustain a measure of unity and momentum. Unfortunately, the reality is that most Venezuelans are understandably exhausted and appear to…”

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
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