On August 3rd, Venezuela will hold an important electoral process aimed at strengthening the political participation of Indigenous peoples throughout the country. On this date will be elected 69 Indigenous councilors. This process will take place in eight states with Indigenous ancestral territories: Amazonas, Apure, Anzoátegui, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro, Monagas, Sucre, and Zulia.
There will be 6,367 Indigenous delegates participating in the process. They will be responsible for electing their representatives as Indigenous councilors in their jurisdictions, thus completing the 2,471 councilors that this process yields in the municipal chambers. The councilors elected this election will be responsible for ensuring the respect of their communities’ rights and strengthening their participation in municipal decision-making, promoting respect for their culture, traditions, and forms of social organization.
This election will take place in 69 municipalities, with 87 voting centers and a total of 110 polling stations, ensuring broad access for Indigenous communities and their representatives. Participation in this process reflects the Venezuelan State’s commitment to political inclusion and the recognition of the traditional electoral methods of Indigenous peoples, while respecting their customs and practices.
Within the constitutional framework, the participation of Indigenous peoples in local political spaces is guaranteed by Article 125, which establishes the right to political participation. Venezuelan institutions, in compliance with these rights, have allowed for the inclusion of Indigenous representatives in all electoral processes for 26 years, promoting cultural diversity and gender equality in the candidacies.
The effort to guarantee Indigenous representation is also reflected in their active participation in the deliberative bodies of federal and local entities with Indigenous populations, including the National Assembly, where these representatives play a fundamental role in defending the rights and interests of their communities.
This electoral process represents an important advance in the consolidation of political rights and respect for cultural identities, allowing Indigenous voices to be a fundamental part of decisions that affect their communities. Active and respectful participation by the State and various political actors strengthens democratic principles and human rights throughout Venezuela, promoting inclusion and the recognition of diversity as an essential value for building a more plural and equitable nation.