In the wake of a contentious presidential election on July 28th, an irate Nicolás Maduro stood before a crowd of supporters in Caracas, vowing to his detractors that they would face severe repercussions and unforgiving justice. True to his word, over 1,400 arrests of ordinary individuals and activists alike have followed, along with the death of 24 protestors.
With this, Venezuela is indisputably immersed in the darkest era of civil oppression in its history, virtually extinguishing the optimistic expectations of countless nationals, both residing in the country and those who have fled. Despite their hope for a fair election that would challenge a merciless regime that has ruled for a quarter of a century, their dreams seem futile.
Unsurprisingly, the officially authenticated vote count, painstakingly recorded by impartial volunteers at 83% of the nation’s 15,000 polling stations, demonstrated an overwhelming defeat for Maduro and a win for opposition leader, Edmundo Gonzalez. Regardless, Maduro insists, without concrete proof, that he has won a simple majority, backed by the nation’s election board.
A UN report last week divulged that the Venezuelan electoral body fell short of maintaining key standards of transparency and credibility crucial for conducting trustworthy elections. Argentina, Uruguay, and the US acknowledge Gonzalez’s victory, while the European Union, and neighbouring countries Brazil and Colombia are asking Maduro to validate his claims and are advocating for another election.
The initial exuberance of the opposition, who believed they had clinched a victory, has transformed into an atmosphere of fear and humility. Citizens are being urged to reveal suspects through specific apps, while police are scouring households for suspects in the so-called “Operation Knock Knock”. Houses of suspected protestors are being ominously marked with black crosses, protestors are routinely assaulted with tear gas, and bereaved mothers are burying their teenage children who have been killed.
An embattled Maduro clings to power, but his desperate measures hint at instability. In the best interest of the Venezuelan populace, the global community mustn’t let him go unpunished.