The unity of the democratic opposition faces a new challenge, after twenty-two long years, some of lime and others of sand, in any event unable to become a real alternative power against the regime, first Chavez and now Maduro. Lost opportunities, which have left pain and a tragic future to a people that undoubtedly deserve a better destiny. Various factors have intervened in the lack of effectiveness in the work of the opposition. In some cases, due to overflowing egos, in others due to failed strategies in coherence or vision, either due to excess of passion and lack of reason, or due to the absence of strong parties or consistent leadership, such as the penetration of the so-called “scorpions”, and its degree of infection on the authentically democratic and libertarian cadres, who constitute the majority. In short, various reasons, united or shared, that have harmed the democratic resistance, despite its undeniable effort and sacrifice for the long-awaited political change that the country demands.
The task undertaken in this long period has not been easy, even more so in the face of an adversary who has declared himself the enemy, without anyone requesting it, without ethical considerations of any nature, using any type of instrument, violent or not, resorting to post-truths and hybrid warfare, with the central objective of perpetuating themselves in power, and thus impeding the free democratic game, by bending, corrupting, discouraging, hindering the development of the opposition in a thousand ways.
The current situation is conducive to reconquering the unity that is now quite broken in the face of the pessimism of some, the disinterest of many, the kind of apathy that has taken over sectors of national life, to promote a course of unity among all the factors of the democratic resistance, which must come together in the electoral definition no later than 2024, as established by the Constitution. In a country with a centralist and presidentialist tradition like Venezuela, the designation of our presidential candidate by the method of primaries open to citizens without distinction of any kind, including compatriots willing to emigrate, is the appropriate formula to resolve our differences.
There will be time for the natural debate and the confrontation of ideas and projects, in harmony with a healthy democracy. Today’s much-needed unity must become an example to the world that we Venezuelans have not bowed down. In our veins runs the blood of our liberators. Let us remember Bolívar in Pantano de Vargas: Save the native land! Let us not disappoint the hopes of a people that deserves to be redeemed. Everyone offers their grain of sand. All sacrifices, personal and group, are valid for the sake of unity, since it constitutes an urgent need.
Let’s say with José Martí:
“There are two things that are glorious: the sun in the sky and freedom on earth. The slavery of men is the great sorrow of the world. Greatness is the power to bridle the passions and the duty to be fair and foresee. Duty must be fulfilled simply and naturally.”
