president of venezuela and strong activist of socialist international campaigned for gomez to be included on the ticket as vice president but majluta said he preferred to lose than to win alongside peña gomez who he felt had betrayed him by competing against him. a deal similar to the one guzmán had made with blanco and the latter with majluta was offered to gomez but he declined calling it a "cursed gift". ultimately nicolas vargas of santiago was chosen as running mate.