BTN News: Enrique Márquez, a seasoned Venezuelan politician and engineer by profession, has officially registered his presidential candidacy for the upcoming elections under the banner of the movement “Centrados en la gente.” At 61, Márquez, hailing from Maracaibo, stands out as a social democrat with a moderate stance. His political journey has seen him once aligned with the opposition party “Un Nuevo Tiempo,” but over time, he has distanced himself from the opposition’s Platforma Unitaria as political conflicts intensified in Venezuela.
Márquez is no stranger to Venezuela’s electoral system, having served as a rector of the National Electoral Council (CNE) from 2021 to 2023. His prudent demeanor has allowed him to maintain institutional relationships with some officialist figures within the Electoral Power and the Venezuelan state. His deep understanding of the electoral processes and his moderate approach provide him with a unique perspective on the current political landscape.
Márquez recently voiced his concerns regarding the release of a confidential document by the United Nations (UN) containing observations about the Venezuelan elections. He believes the decision to make the document public underscores the severity of the findings, attributing the authorization for its release to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. According to Márquez, the document reveals irregularities that cannot be ignored and highlights the need for serious reflection, which the Venezuelan government has yet to undertake.
Regarding the ongoing process initiated by the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) to receive the election records held by Nicolás Maduro, Márquez expressed strong criticism. He finds no legal or constitutional basis for such a procedure. The CNE, according to Márquez, is the only body with the constitutional authority to clarify what transpired during the elections, yet it has failed in its duty. He also pointed out that the involvement of Nicolás Maduro, who is both a candidate and the sitting president, in this process further complicates the matter, as it is legally unfounded and lacks transparency. Márquez described the situation as chaotic and criticized the lack of transparency in the handling of the electoral records, making it impossible to verify the authenticity of the results.
Márquez also reflected on the UN’s report on the quality of Venezuelan elections, which he considers serious and technically significant. He compared it to a similar report by the Carter Center, noting that both highlight critical issues that require thorough analysis. The UN experts had observed the 2021 parliamentary elections during Márquez’s tenure as a CNE rector. While the findings were initially intended to remain confidential, their eventual publication indicates the gravity of the irregularities observed. Márquez reiterated that only the UN Secretary-General had the authority to make the report public, further emphasizing the importance of its content.
When asked about the role of regional leaders like Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro, and Andrés Manuel López Obrador in addressing the Venezuelan crisis, Márquez expressed his respect for these leaders and their efforts. He acknowledged their democratic credentials and their past success in resolving crises in their respective countries. However, Márquez voiced concern that Maduro might be disregarding their advice in favor of counsel from more autocratic leaders like Daniel Ortega and Miguel Díaz-Canel. He warned that the worsening situation in Venezuela could have severe repercussions for the entire Latin American region.
Márquez also addressed the claim that his party’s representatives were present in the CNE’s vote tallying room, verifying that the results were not issued from there. He emphasized that without scrutiny records, any results announced would lack credibility. Each candidate is entitled to have a representative in the tallying room, where the data is supposed to be processed. However, Márquez revealed that the standard procedure was not followed and that the electoral bulletin announced by the CNE president, Elvis Amoroso, did not originate from the official tallying room but was issued elsewhere. This discrepancy, according to Márquez, needs to be clarified by the CNE president.
On the possibility of a cyberattack on the CNE, which allegedly prevented the detailed publication of election results, Márquez expressed skepticism. He questioned how election results could be announced if a cyberattack had indeed disrupted the transmission of records. This contradiction led Márquez to file a request with the Attorney General’s Office for an investigation into the CNE authorities. He stressed the need for accountability, as the situation has caused widespread unrest and raised suspicions of a conspiracy against the Republic and its electoral processes.
Márquez lamented the lack of communication and transparency within the CNE, noting that the institution had been functioning at only 10% of its capacity. He mentioned the suspension of the five scheduled audits and the difficulties in obtaining information from the military, who currently hold the electoral records. Conversations with other presidential candidates revealed similar concerns and doubts about the integrity of the electoral process. Márquez criticized the CNE for failing to meet its responsibilities during this crucial period.
When asked about the silence of Juan Carlos Delpino and Acme Nogal, two CNE rectors with ties to the opposition, Márquez expressed disappointment. He called on all rectors, not just Delpino and Nogal, to provide explanations to the public, noting that their silence is troubling. Márquez highlighted Delpino’s absence during the announcement of the first bulletin and Maduro’s proclamation, which only adds to the concerns. He speculated that Delpino might be under significant pressure but insisted that their testimonies are crucial for clarifying what happened. Márquez urged both Delpino and Nogal to prioritize the nation’s interests over personal concerns, emphasizing that this crisis threatens the institution of voting, the Constitution, and the rule of law in Venezuela.
Regarding the calls from some countries to repeat the presidential elections, Márquez acknowledged that the idea is primarily being discussed abroad and has not gained traction within Venezuela, either among the opposition or the government. He noted the lack of a negotiation environment in the country, which is currently characterized by tension. While Márquez appreciated the good intentions behind the proposal, he suggested that the solution could be simpler: the publication of all records and a public audit of the scrutinized ballots would suffice to resolve the issue.
Lastly, Márquez addressed the authenticity of the records published on the opposition campaign’s website, led by Edmundo González Urrutia. He confirmed that the records reviewed by his party’s technicians were genuine, although not all had been examined. He emphasized the difficulty of falsifying such records, given the unique paper used by the CNE, which includes precise markers, a QR code, and an electronic signature that is challenging to tamper with. According to Márquez, these are official documents specifically created for the electoral process, and any claims of falsification would be difficult to substantiate.
In summary, Enrique Márquez’s insights into the current Venezuelan electoral crisis shed light on the complexities and irregularities that have marred the process. His call for transparency, accountability, and adherence to constitutional norms underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles in the face of mounting challenges. As the situation unfolds, Márquez’s moderate yet firm stance may play a crucial role in shaping the future of Venezuela’s political landscape.
