On Monday, April 14, 2025, the Primero Justicia (PJ) party made headlines by expelling Henrique Capriles, a two-time presidential candidate, along with five other members for what they termed as "betraying" the anti-Chavez unity. This decision comes in light of the expelled members' choice to participate in the upcoming legislative and regional elections scheduled for May 25, 2025, a move that PJ claims contradicts their established political stance.
The party's official announcement via their X account listed the expelled members: Henrique Capriles Radonski, Tomás Guanipa, Amelia Belisario, Ángel Medina, Pablo Pérez, and Juan Requesens. PJ's leadership expressed their discontent, stating that the decision to partake in the elections was made in "open contradiction" to the party's political committee's resolution, which had previously agreed to boycott the elections, deeming the results of the July 2024 presidential elections, which declared Nicolás Maduro the winner, as fraudulent.
"A partir de hoy, han sido expulsadas de nuestra organización política las siguientes personas: Henrique Capriles Radonski, Tomás Guanipa, Amelia Belisario, Ángel Medina, Pablo Pérez y Juan Requesens," the party communicated, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining unity among anti-Chavez factions.
Primero Justicia articulated that the expelled members had deviated from the path established by the Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD), which is led by President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia and prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado. The party's statement highlighted that Capriles and Guanipa's participation in the elections was seen as a betrayal of the popular mandate and the unity that the opposition has sought to maintain against the current regime.
In a pointed critique, PJ condemned the alleged negotiations that allowed Capriles and Guanipa to regain their political eligibility, which they claim was facilitated by the Chavista administration. This enabled the two politicians to receive a new political card, which PJ argues undermines their collective efforts against the regime. "Primero Justicia rechaza las negociaciones que habilitaron a Capriles y Guanipa y les otorgaron una nueva tarjeta, traicionando la unidad y el mandato popular," the party stated.
Moreover, PJ expressed outrage at the selective political rehabilitation of Capriles and Guanipa, who were previously disqualified from political participation. The party pointed out that it is particularly scandalous that these politicians were enabled just hours before their expulsion while legitimate opposition parties remain judicially constrained and hindered from participating freely in the political process.
Despite the internal turmoil within PJ, other opposition parties within the PUD, such as Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT) and Movimiento Por Venezuela (MPV), have called for participation in the upcoming elections. This has led to a visible rift within the opposition, as some factions advocate for engagement with the electoral process while others remain staunchly opposed, labeling the elections as "hasty, unfair, and flawed" due to the control exerted by the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE), which is perceived as biased in favor of the ruling party.
Capriles and Guanipa have not publicly confirmed their registration for the May elections or addressed the allegations regarding their prior disqualification. The situation continues to evolve as the May elections draw nearer, with the opposition grappling with internal divisions while facing a government that remains firmly entrenched in power.
As the political landscape in Venezuela remains fraught with tension, the actions of Primero Justicia and the responses from its expelled members will be closely monitored. The unfolding events highlight the complexities within the Venezuelan opposition as they navigate their strategies against a backdrop of a contentious electoral process.
