Elections a new rupture point in Venezuela crisis

A Maduro loss in May's election could be a turning point, but recovery will be lengthy

On 20 May 2018, Venezuelans will go to the polls to elect one president, 233 state legislators, and 2,436 municipal councilors. Given Venezuela's long presidentialist tradition, in which the executive holds the reins of power, all eyes will be on President Nicolás Maduro's bid for reelection. Venezuela's president will run against the former governor from the state of Lara, Henri Falcón, the only other viable candidate standing after the opposition bloc decided not to enter what they call a "fraudulent and illegitimate" presidential election. While Falcón has condemned Maduro's transgressions against opposition leaders and the government's manipulation of previous elections, he has also reje