In a response to the contested Venezuelan election, thousands took to the streets across the nation in protest on Saturday. The country’s President, Nicolas Maduro, informed his advocates that around 2,000 individuals were apprehended due to their part in rallies contesting the election results.
Despite allegations of bias towards the ruling socialists, Venezuela’s electoral body declared Maduro as the victor of the previous Sunday’s poll, stating he garnered 51% of the vote as against 46% for opposition figure, Edmundo Gonzalez, with a similar margin reaffirmed on Friday. Such results stirred accusations of voting fraud and led to several demonstrations, which were met with forceful responses from the authorities, a move labelled by Maduro’s administration as countering a coup plotted with U.S backing.
Speaking at a gathering in Caracas, Maduro issued a stern warning of “no forgiveness” this time and vowed for “maximum punishment” for those involved in the so-called “crimes” amidst the protests, claiming that around 2,000 individuals had been apprehended. Meanwhile, owing allegiance to their leader, Maduro’s followers voiced their support for democracy.
Alfredo Valera, the head of Venezuela’s Fontur union, who participated in a pro-government procession in Caracas, declared on state television that they were there to safeguard democracy on their president’s call.
In contrast, supporters of the opposition rallied to demand justice, rejuvenated by the emergence of their leader Maria Corina Machado. She came out from hiding to join her followers in Caracas, encouraging them with her words, “We’ve never been as powerful as we are today.”
Machado’s supporters expressed joy seeing her on the streets after she confessed recently in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that she was in hiding and dreaded for her life.
Protests were observed not just in Caracas, but also in notable other cities such as Valencia, Maracaibo, and San Cristobal. A vendor in San Cristobal, Maria Luzardo, expressed apprehension about witnessing security officials, but said, “If [Machado] is brave enough to be on the streets despite the threats, so are we. Venezuela is calling us.”
Post-election turmoil in Venezuela has claimed the lives of around 20 individuals, suggests data gathered by campaign organisations such as the American civil rights group, Human Rights Watch. On top of this, the Venezuelan government reports the arrest of approximately 1200 individuals in relation to the protests.
Throughout the past week, several Venezuelan residents were seen around police departments inquiring about their arrested kin.
Before the projected protests, the Organisation of American States (OAS) called for peace in Venezuela. The OAS, which voiced concerns about the credibility of the election outcome this week, stated “We implore for no more political incarcerations, no more brutalized individuals, no missing persons, no more homicide victims.”
Countries including the United States and Argentina have recognised Gonzalez as the victor of the elections, with the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken referencing “considerable evidence” on Thursday. On Friday, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay also deduced that Gonzalez earned a majority of the votes.
Contrarily, nations such as Russia, China, and Cuba have extended their congratulations to Maduro.
Venezuela: Disputed election outcome sees Maduro maintain power
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