Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado has faced numerous obstacles in her campaign to unseat long-ruling authoritarian president Nicolás Maduro. The latest challenge involved indigenous protesters blocking the highway to Maracaibo, where Machado’s motorcade was headed for a rally. After tense negotiations, the protesters relented, allowing her passage.

Machado detailed the hurdles her campaign has faced, many linked to government interference. Arrests of key personnel prevented the setup of a stage and sound system for her rally. No local vendors dared rent her replacements, fearing government retaliation. Forced to travel by car due to airlines refusing her tickets, Machado’s convoy, often tailed by state agents, made a five-hour journey to Maracaibo, refueling at a supporter’s house to avoid government-controlled petrol stations.

Despite being banned from the ballot, Machado has campaigned vigorously, using social media to rally support. Her substitute, Edmundo González, a retired diplomat, stands in her place. Posters of Maduro dominate the streets, but Machado’s supporters have mobilized online and on the ground, showing a strong desire for change amid economic crisis and government corruption.

Machado remains optimistic, seeing the widespread support as a sign of potential victory. However, Maduro’s control over the army, police, courts, and electoral authorities raises concerns about a fair election. Maduro has even mandated face masks for voters while prohibiting their sale, seemingly to suppress voter turnout.

With the vote approaching, the opposition is betting on Maduro’s miscalculation, hoping that widespread poverty and dissatisfaction will tip the scales in their favor. The international community’s response will be crucial if the results are disputed, with countries like Brazil possibly playing a mediating role. As tensions rise, the opposition aims to ensure a transparent vote count, despite the challenges posed by Maduro’s regime.