Venezuela's president seeks a campaign song – in a competition program

Venezuelan artists are now seeking luck in a new state-run competition program. But the competition is not about contracts or money – but rather about getting a hit song in President Nicolás Maduro's re-election campaign.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 01 2024

Venezuela's president seeks a campaign song – in a competition program
Photo: Ariana Cubillos/AP

Share this article

Venezuelan artists are now seeking luck in a new state-run competition program. However, the competition is not about contracts or money – but about getting a song into President Nicolás Maduro's re-election campaign.

Against a backdrop of neon colors, flashing strobe lights, and an enthusiastic audience, 35 entries are competing in the program "Factor M" on state-run Venezuelan TV. In the end, six entries will be selected as Maduro's campaign songs for election day on July 28.

"M" stands for Maduro, and one of the competition participants sings that the president is "loyal and brave".

Competition participants have also appeared in Maduro's own election program on another state-run TV channel. Press freedom is strongly restricted in the country. TV channels are loyal to the regime, and over 400 daily newspapers and radio and TV stations have been forced to shut down operations over the past 20 years.

Maduro, who is campaigning to be re-elected for a third six-year term, has few opponents. Many rivals have been disqualified by institutions loyal to the government. His only opponent is relatively unknown diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who replaced politician Maria Corina Machado since she was disqualified after winning a primary election with a large majority last year.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Paris Hosts High-Level Meeting on Ukraine Security Support
1 MIN READ

Paris Hosts High-Level Meeting on Ukraine Security Support

Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol Recovering After Blood Infection
1 MIN READ

Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol Recovering After Blood Infection

Houthi Rebels Raid UN Offices in Yemen's Capital Sanaa
2 MIN READ

Houthi Rebels Raid UN Offices in Yemen's Capital Sanaa

French Minister Criticizes US Over Greenland Sale Proposal
1 MIN READ

French Minister Criticizes US Over Greenland Sale Proposal

Pope Leo XIV Calls for End to Global "Pandemic of Weapons"
1 MIN READ

Pope Leo XIV Calls for End to Global "Pandemic of Weapons"

Egypt Train Derailment: Over 90 Injured, 3 Dead
1 MIN READ

Egypt Train Derailment: Over 90 Injured, 3 Dead

Norway to Buy British Frigates in Historic Defense Deal
1 MIN READ

Norway to Buy British Frigates in Historic Defense Deal

Wife Urges Suspected Police Killer to Surrender in Australia Manhunt
2 MIN READ

Wife Urges Suspected Police Killer to Surrender in Australia Manhunt

Immigration Raid at Washington Wildfire Site Leads to Firefighter Arrests
1 MIN READ

Immigration Raid at Washington Wildfire Site Leads to Firefighter Arrests

Swedish Search Dog Joins Efforts in Norway Landslide Rescue
2 MIN READ

Swedish Search Dog Joins Efforts in Norway Landslide Rescue

Netanyahu Confirms Start of Israel's Plan to Defeat Hamas
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Confirms Start of Israel's Plan to Defeat Hamas

Eight Kidnapped in Haiti Released After Nearly Four Weeks
1 MIN READ

Eight Kidnapped in Haiti Released After Nearly Four Weeks

Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon
1 MIN READ

Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

US Proposes Stricter Visa Rules for International Students
1 MIN READ

US Proposes Stricter Visa Rules for International Students

Israel Confirms Death of Hamas Spokesperson Abu Obeida in Gaza Attack
1 MIN READ

Israel Confirms Death of Hamas Spokesperson Abu Obeida in Gaza Attack

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla to Gaza Strip to Challenge Blockade
2 MIN READ

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla to Gaza Strip to Challenge Blockade

Halonen Reflects on Putin's Priorities in Ukraine Conflict
3 MIN READ

Halonen Reflects on Putin's Priorities in Ukraine Conflict

Putin and Modi Attend Summit in China for First Time in Seven Years
2 MIN READ

Putin and Modi Attend Summit in China for First Time in Seven Years

Turkmenistan Cultural Workers Ordered to Lose Weight by National Day
1 MIN READ

Turkmenistan Cultural Workers Ordered to Lose Weight by National Day

Hamas Confirms Death of Gaza Military Chief Mohammed Sinwar
1 MIN READ

Hamas Confirms Death of Gaza Military Chief Mohammed Sinwar