Politics
Former Venezuelan presidential candidate becomes his party's favorite for opposition's primary elections
Henrique Capriles took the lead in his Primero Justicia party, creating a chance to take on Maduro in the presidential election
February 27, 2023 7:20am
Updated: February 27, 2023 7:20am
Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski was selected Sunday in a Primero Justicia (PJ) Party primary, clearing a path to become the opposition candidate who could face Nicolás Maduro in the communist country's upcoming presidential elections.
The ex-governor of Miranda triumphed in 17 states with 76% of the votes while his rivals, former legislative vice president Juan Pablo Guanipa and mayor Carlos Ocariz, only captured five states and one state, respectively.
"Today we ratify our cause to build the country of progress that we deserve to be," Capriles said.
"Today, it was reflected once again that the goal, the motivation and the cause of PJ is Venezuela. We have a vision of a country that goes far beyond candidacies," he said.
Today we ratify our cause to build the country of progress that we deserve to be.
Today it was confirmed once again that the project, the motivation and the cause of @Pr1meroJusticia is Venezuela.
We have a vision of the country that goes far beyond candidacies.
— Henrique Capriles R. (@hcapriles) February 25, 2023
In a video posted on his Twitter account, his former rival Ocariz showed support for Capriles: "I feel proud to belong to PJ. We are a party that makes history. Today we begin a process and very soon we will have a righteous candidate who will change the reality of this country." Ocariz only won on Isla Margarita.
I am proud to belong to @Pr1meroJusticia we are a party that makes history. Today we start a process and very soon we will have a righteous candidate who will change the reality of this country.pic.twitter.com/I4m58LPWT6
— Carlos Ocariz (@CarlosOcariz) February 25, 2023
Capriles, who almost defeated Hugo Chávez in 2012 and Nicolás Maduro in 2013, called two weeks ago to support the primary process for any new candidate who faces Chavismo in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.
The opposition coalition is scheduled to hold its primaries Oct. 22 for the first time since 2012. Those candidates seek to regain momentum after many futile attempts to dethrone Maduro.
