Venezuela at a historical crossroads: Youth prepare to define electoral future

Nowadays, Venezuela is facing a crucial political scenario: the upcoming presidential election is on the horizon and, for the first time, a generation of young people who have only known Chavismo as a form of government are preparing to exercise their right to vote. In this historic crossroads, distrust and hope for a better future are mixed. Carla Zambrano, a 22-year-old student, expresses her intention to participate in the elections, albeit with some skepticism. She acknowledges that she registered as a voter more out of obligation than conviction, influenced by her teachers and grandparents. On the other hand, her friend Astrid de Nobrega, 20 years old, unfortunately will not be able to vote as she did not register in time on the electoral roll, showing the bureaucratic obstacles that young people face. Young Astrid views with excitement the possibility of a political change with the victory of opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, representing María Corina Machado. In contrast, Carla expresses her skepticism, pointing out the possibility of manipulation by the authorities in an electoral process that has been questioned in the past by the opposition. In the midst of this situation, Nicolás Maduro seeks a third consecutive term in elections to be held on July 28. Youth participation in the electoral process has historically been low, with figures reflecting a lack of confidence in the current political system. The NGO Youth Vote reports that 600,000 young people have registered for the first time in the electoral registry this year, an indication of a potential change in the participation of this demographic group. The economic situation in Venezuela has been a determining factor in the lives of young people, with an 80% contraction in the economy over seven years and hyperinflation affecting the entire population. The economic, political, and humanitarian crisis has driven millions of Venezuelans to emigrate in search of better opportunities, generating a sense of uncertainty and hopelessness among the young people who remain in the country. Amid this panorama, groups of young activists both in favor and against the current government are emerging, making efforts to mobilize the young population to participate in the elections. While some, like the Future Movement, seek to refresh the image of Chavismo, other young people express their desire for change and the possibility of emigrating if conditions do not improve in the country. A study by the polling firm ORC Consultores reveals that a significant percentage of the Venezuelan population would be willing to emigrate if Maduro is reelected, demonstrating the desire to find a more prosperous future outside the national borders. However, there is also hope to transform Venezuela into a better country, an ideal shared by many young people who dream of a promising future in their homeland. In this context of distrust and hope, young Venezuelans are preparing for a crucial moment in the political history of their country. The decision they make in these elections will not only define the course of the country in the coming years, but also mark the beginning of a new stage in the political participation of a generation that longs for a significant change for their future and that of Venezuela.