The flashing neon lights. The audience that cheered him. The lively host with slicked-back hair and a seafoam green suit. The panel of judges wearing dark sunglasses. Contestants sharing emotional personal stories before singing their songs into a microphone.
It has all the elements of a typical singing competition. But the winner of this contest will not win any money or a record deal.
Instead, “Factor M” contestants write and perform songs in a contest to become the official campaign jingle for the party of President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s authoritarian leader.
Maduro’s repressive government, which has been in power for more than a decade, is being investigated by an international court for crimes against humanity.
But on the domestic front, Maduro has tried, at times, to promote a softer side, using state-controlled media to portray his administration as goofy, fun-loving personalities working hard to save the nation from what that they characterize as imperialist enemies. that is, the United States.
On his own weekly television show, Maduro appears alongside brightly dressed traditional singers and dancers who promote his policies in song. Another state television series features a cartoon superhero called “Super Mustache” who bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Maduro rescuing the Venezuelan people from disaster.
Many see these programs as a distraction from years of economic struggle that has led more than seven million Venezuelans, a quarter of the country’s population, to leave since 2015.
But “M Factor” host Winston Vallenilla, a longtime television actor and Maduro supporter who is also a national lawmaker, said that was not true.
“‘Factor M’ was born from a movement of artists,” he said in an interview. “It was born from the people’s need to express themselves through music. “It was not born from a call from President Nicolás Maduro.”
“There is no economic interest here,” he added. “The only interest is the interest of the country.”
“Factor M” producer Camilla Fabri said in a press release that the show was conceived after Maduro’s campaign received multiple jingle proposals “spontaneously.”
The program, which aired for the first time on April 28 on public television TVES, will feature 35 contestants over eight episodes. The final episode will air on June 10, seven weeks before the presidential election scheduled for July 28.
“In Venezuela there are so many singers, so many promises,” Maduro said when he announced the contest three weeks ago. “We have to express this historical moment, express it with its desires, its hopes.”
The judges, all known Maduro supporters with business ties to the government, have little criticism of the proceedings and much praise for the president, whose approval rating hovers around 35 percent.
Complaints from the United States, which has imposed severe economic sanctions on Venezuela, arise frequently: from the host, from Maduro’s campaign messages broadcast during the show, and from a contestant whose song included the phrase: “they want to dominate.” us, that gringo empire.”
“The United States has done us a lot of harm,” Vallenilla said during one episode. “Always trying to undermine the freedom and independence, the sovereignty of the people.” Throughout the program, Vallenilla refers to Maduro as the “president of peace” and “the greatest defender of culture in Venezuela.”
A contestant, wearing a cowboy hat and surrounded by flamenco dancers, sang: “Listen to me, Nicolás. “I’m going to shout it out loud: with 10 million votes you will have your victory for sure.” Later, Vallenilla spoke on stage with the contestant, known as Neo Blanco.
“He is not here, but he is watching it on television,” Vallenilla said, referring to the president. “So, what would he say to President Nicolás Maduro in this very special moment?”
“Do not give up, buddy. “There are a lot of people out there,” Neo Blanco said. “If one day we have to hang up our hat and go into the toughest battle, count on us, brother.”
Sheyla Urdaneta contributed reports from Maracaibo.