Whether this pressure succeeds remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, with the massive turnout and landslide election of Machado, Venezuelans now have “a very great opportunity to set out on the path toward radical change,” Gutiérrez told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.
The prelate considers that the result of the primary elections is so important that it could lead to “a kind of refounding of the country,” which would allow for “changing the entire current structure” and “cleaning up all the institutions and powers.”
Gutiérrez stressed that any political change in Venezuela “must necessarily occur through electoral means” and highlighted that the massive participation of citizens on election day “was very significant” and took place not only within the country but also in all places with a large Venezuelan migrant population.
“The Venezuelan people want free and transparent elections, and I believe that certain conditions are beginning to exist, either due to international pressure or internal pressure” because the people are tired of current living conditions. “I am hopeful in that sense and I believe that Venezuela is heading towards that change,” the archbishop said.
He also noted that the months up to the 2024 presidential election are a time to “convince all Venezuelans of the need to participate.”