On May 25, 2025, Venezuela conducted legislative and regional elections, including the election of 277 National Assembly deputies and 23 governors. These elections were postponed from their original April 27 date to encourage higher voter turnout.
The elections have been marked by controversy, with opposition parties divided over participation. The Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), led by María Corina Machado, called for a boycott, urging supporters to abstain from voting, while other opposition leaders, such as Henrique Capriles and Manuel Rosales, chose to participate. This division has exposed fractures within the opposition.
International observers have raised concerns about the legitimacy of the elections, citing the lack of transparency and the absence of detailed precinct-level vote tallies from the disputed July 2024 presidential election. The United Nations and other international bodies have called for impartial verification of the results.
The elections also included the disputed region of Guayana Esequiba, claimed by both Venezuela and Guyana. The United Nations Court of Justice has ruled that Venezuela is not permitted to hold elections in this area, but the Maduro administration has proceeded with the inclusion, leading to further international criticism.
As the election results are awaited, the political climate in Venezuela remains tense, with ongoing debates about electoral legitimacy and the future of democratic processes in the country.
