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| Un Nuevo Tiempo | |
|---|---|
| Name | Un Nuevo Tiempo |
| Native name | Un Nuevo Tiempo |
| Country | Venezuela |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Ideology | Social democracy, progressivism |
| Position | Centre-left |
| Headquarters | Maracaibo, Zulia |
Un Nuevo Tiempo is a Venezuelan political party founded in 2003 that operates primarily in Zulia and across Venezuela. The party emerged from a coalition of local leaders and civic movements active during the aftermath of the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt and the recall referendum period surrounding Hugo Chávez and the Fifth Republic Movement. Un Nuevo Tiempo has participated in municipal, regional, and national contests, aligning with regional figures and nationwide opposition blocs such as Mesa de la Unidad Democrática and later coalitions involving Democratic Unity Roundtable and other parties.
Founded in 2003 by regional politicians including leaders from civic groups and former members of parties like Acción Democrática and COPEI, the party developed from local responses to the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt, the 2004 Venezuelan recall referendum, and the consolidation of the Bolivarian Revolution. During the 2000s the party grew in Zulia municipal politics, contesting mayoralties in Maracaibo and participating in legislative races for the National Assembly of Venezuela. In the 2010s Un Nuevo Tiempo joined national opposition structures such as Mesa de la Unidad Democrática and sought representation against candidates from Fifth Republic Movement successors like the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. The party's trajectory included alliances with personalities connected to Carlos Ortega, Leopoldo López, and regional figures influenced by events like the Caracazo protests and the political aftermath of the Bolivarian National Guard interventions.
Un Nuevo Tiempo positions itself on the centre-left with an emphasis on social democracy, progressive policies, and regional autonomy for Zulia. The party’s rhetoric references policy frameworks similar to those defended by international social-democratic organizations such as Party of European Socialists affiliates and politicians in the tradition of Tony Blair, Gerhard Schröder, and Sergio Massa-style pragmatism. It situates itself in opposition to the United Socialist Party of Venezuela while supporting electoral reform efforts connected to institutions like the National Electoral Council and international election observation by groups such as the Organization of American States and the European Union.
The party maintains a regional organizational base in Maracaibo, with local committees across municipalities in Zulia and representation in regional party federations that interact with national coalitions like Mesa de la Unidad Democrática. Leadership structures echo those of parties such as Acción Democrática and COCAL, featuring a national directorate, regional secretariats, and youth wings that liaise with student movements at universities such as the University of Zulia and professional associations in sectors linked to the oil industry and port authorities in Lake Maracaibo. Organizational coordination has involved contacts with civil society groups like Aporrea critics, trade unions aligned with Sindicato Único, and municipal councils in Cabimas and Ciudad Ojeda.
Electoral participation includes municipal victories in Maracaibo mayoral contests and seats in the National Assembly of Venezuela through contested elections in the 2000s and 2010s. The party contested regional governorships against candidates from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and supported opposition coalitions in presidential elections involving contenders like Henrique Capriles and Leopoldo López. Its electoral record reflects engagements in plebiscites such as the 2004 Venezuelan recall referendum and legislative contests observed by international delegations including representatives from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the OAS.
Prominent figures associated with the party have included regional leaders from Zulia politics, municipal mayors of Maracaibo, and deputies to the National Assembly of Venezuela. Leadership has interacted with national opposition leaders such as Enrique Capriles Radonski, Leopoldo López, and members of Primero Justicia and Voluntad Popular during coalition negotiations. The party’s cadres have included activists from student federations at the University of Zulia and professionals with ties to the oil industry and port administration in Lake Maracaibo.
Un Nuevo Tiempo joined national and regional alliances including Mesa de la Unidad Democrática and broader opposition platforms opposing the United Socialist Party of Venezuela government. The party has participated in protest mobilizations related to electoral transparency, engaged with international observers from the Organization of American States and the European Union, and negotiated candidate lists alongside parties like Acción Democrática, Primero Justicia, Voluntad Popular, and smaller regional formations. It has also engaged in civic initiatives tied to municipal governance in Maracaibo, policy dialogues with trade unions, and outreach to expatriate communities in countries like Colombia, United States, and Spain.
Critics from pro-government factions and rival opposition parties have accused the party of opportunism, fluctuating alliances, and insufficient clarity on policy toward the Bolivarian Revolution, drawing comparisons to controversies faced by figures like Enrique Capriles Radonski and disputes within Mesa de la Unidad Democrática. Allegations have involved internal disputes over candidate selection in Zulia, disagreements with trade unionists and student leaders at the University of Zulia, and public confrontations with representatives of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and local pro-government movements.