Voluntad Popular on the 25M farce: Venezuela did not vote, but it spoke clearly

Voluntad Popular said this Sunday, May 25, that the electoral farce called by Nicolás Maduro’s regime failed in its goal of simulating an election, and that the citizens’ response was an act of collective disobedience.

“Today no one voted, but people spoke. And they spoke clearly,” the organization said in a statement released on its X account.

In the party’s view, the low turnout recorded reflects a “clear message” from the Venezuelan people, who decided not to lend themselves to what they describe as an “electoral farce.”

They stressed that the images of empty voting centers, silent streets and polling tables without voters are proof of the citizens’ rejection of the system imposed by the ruling party.

“The Venezuelan people spoke. And they did so forcefully,” said Voluntad Popular, which thanked those who chose not to take part and interpreted it as an act of dignity in the face of what they consider an institutionalized lie and a “usurpation of the vote.”

The statement also noted that this May 25 election day made it evident that Venezuelans are not willing to be part of a political model that has failed, does not represent the country and perpetuates persecution as a form of control.

Speaking for the democratic leadership, the party said they take on with “humility and responsibility” the message sent by the population, and stated that their duty is to channel it toward a path of democratic transition.

“It is up to us to interpret it, listen to it without filters and move forward toward freedom and justice,” they added.
Voluntad Popular concluded its message by reiterating its commitment to a Venezuela where the vote has value and democracy is a reality. According to the organization, Sunday’s mass abstention was not a sign of passivity, but a form of active protest against the lack of democratic conditions.