A military man with a political mission
Edmundo González, a 56-year-old retired general, is leading a new opposition movement in Venezuela, hoping to unseat President Nicolás Maduro. González, who was once a close ally of late President Hugo Chávez, has been a vocal critic of Maduro and his government, accusing them of corruption and authoritarianism.
González’s movement, called Fuerza Vecinal, is made up of a diverse group of Venezuelans, including former military officers, business leaders, and civil society activists. The movement is running candidates in the upcoming legislative elections, which are scheduled for December 2020.
González is a charismatic and experienced leader, and he has a strong base of support among Venezuelans who are frustrated with the current state of the country. However, he faces an uphill battle in unseating Maduro, who has the support of the military and the state’s resources.
A history of military service
González was born in Caracas in 1965. He joined the Venezuelan Army in 1983 and quickly rose through the ranks. He served in a variety of roles, including as commander of the Presidential Guard and the National Guard. González was also a close confidante of Hugo Chávez, who was president of Venezuela from 1999 to 2013.
González retired from the military in 2014, after Chávez’s death. He has since been a vocal critic of Maduro, accusing him of betraying Chávez’s legacy.
A political outsider
González is a political outsider, and he has never held elected office. However, he has a strong base of support among Venezuelans who are frustrated with the current state of the country. González’s movement, Fuerza Vecinal, is running candidates in the upcoming legislative elections, which are scheduled for December 2020.
González is a charismatic and experienced leader, and he has a strong base of support among Venezuelans who are frustrated with Maduro. However, he faces an uphill battle in unseating Maduro, who has the support of the military and the state’s resources.
The challenges ahead
González faces a number of challenges in his quest to unseat Maduro. First, he must overcome the government’s control of the media and the electoral system. Second, he must convince Venezuelans that he is a viable alternative to Maduro. Third, he must build a coalition of opposition forces that can unite behind his candidacy.
Despite the challenges, González is confident that he can unseat Maduro. He believes that the Venezuelan people are tired of the current government and that they are ready for change.
We are going to win this election, González said. The people of Venezuela are with us.
Kind regards
E. Thompson
