Government supporters dominate Mayoral elections in Venezuela, while opposition maintains control in certain areas

Government supporters dominate Mayoral elections in Venezuela, while opposition maintains control in certain areas

Venezuela's 2025 Municipal Elections: PSUV Secures Sweeping Victory

The July 27, 2025 municipal elections in Venezuela saw a decisive victory for the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), with the party securing 285 out of 334 mayoral positions according to the National Electoral Council (CNE) [1][3]. This marks a clear consolidation of power for the ruling party at the local level.

Compared to the previous elections in 2021, the PSUV and its allied Great Patriotic Pole (GPP) coalition significantly increased their mayoral wins. They secured at least 280 or more mayoral seats in 2025, compared to the 212 positions they won in 2021 [5]. This result is close to the PSUV’s historical performance in 2017, when they won around 309 municipalities in an opposition-boycotted vote [5].

Voter turnout was low, reported to be around 29-44% of the electorate depending on sources [5][3]. The opposition coalition, Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), largely boycotted the contest while some opposition mayors sought to retain their posts individually [1][2]. The election took place amid a highly polarized political climate one year after the disputed 2024 presidential election where Maduro was declared winner amid opposition allegations of fraud [1][3].

In contrast to the PSUV's success, the Venezuelan opposition forces lost more than half of the municipalities they had won in 2021. However, most parties returned to the ballot following years of boycotts in 2021. Sunday's municipal vote was held alongside the third National Popular Consultation of 2025, a mechanism introduced by the Maduro government in 2024, which allows communities to discuss local priorities and vote on up to seven project proposals.

Notable winners include Cármen Meléndez, who easily won a new term in the Libertador municipality of Caracas, receiving 86 percent of the vote [2]. Gustavo Duque and Darwin González from Fuerza Vecinal will get new four-year terms as Chacao and Baruta mayors, respectively [2]. Fernando Melena from the Ecological Party was declared the winner in El Hatillo [2].

The pro-government alliance reportedly secured 23 out of the 24 state capitals, with San Carlos in Cojedes being the only exception [1]. Cojedes, a rural state that was once a Chavista bastion, has become one of the opposition's main footholds in the country [1]. Far-right forces led by María Corina Machado called for abstention, while other opposition forces faced splits ahead of Sunday's vote [1].

Sunday's contest also saw voters select 2,402 local councillors, with the GPP expected to hold overwhelming majorities in municipal assemblies [2]. Anti-government alliances managed to retain their traditional strongholds in the wealthy East Caracas municipalities [1]. President Maduro invited opposition politicians to "work together for peace, democracy, and national coexistence" [1].

[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelas-maduro-claims-victory-local-elections-2025-07-28/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58367538 [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/28/venezuelas-opposition-boycotts-local-elections-as-maduro-claims-victory [4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/venezuelas-opposition-boycotts-local-elections-as-maduro-claims-victory [5] https://www.cne.gov.ve/resultados-municipales-2025/ [6] https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Venezuelan-opposition-calls-for-abstention-in-local-elections-20250727-0022.html

1. Despite the low turnout, the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) secured a sweeping victory in the 2025 municipal elections, claiming 285 out of 334 mayoral positions.
2. The victory represents a significant increase from the 2021 elections, where the PSUV won only 212 mayoral seats.
3. Voter turnout was estimated to be between 29-44% of the electorate.
4. The opposition Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) largely boycotted the contest, while some opposition mayors chose to run independently.
5. The election was held alongside the third National Popular Consultation of 2025, a mechanism introduced by the Maduro government.
6. Carmen Melez, Gustavo Duque, Darwin Gonzalez, and Fernando Melena were among the notable winners of the election.
7. The pro-government alliance reportedly secured 23 out of the 24 state capitals, with San Carlos in Cojedes being the only exception.
8. The opposition's main foothold, Cojedes, a rural state, resisted the PSUV's dominance.
9. Far-right forces led by Maria Corina Machado called for abstention, while other opposition forces faced splits ahead of the vote.
10. The GPP is expected to hold overwhelming majorities in municipal assemblies, with 2,402 local councillors being selected in the election.
11. The opposition managed to retain their traditional strongholds in the wealthy East Caracas municipalities.
12. President Maduro invited opposition politicians to "work together for peace, democracy, and national coexistence."
13. The success of the PSUV in the elections signals a consolidation of power at the local level.
14. The low voter turnout may indicate disillusionment among the electorate.
15. The election took place amid a highly polarized political climate, one year after the disputed 2024 presidential election.
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