Widespread Demonstrations Across Venezuela
Critics of Nicolás Maduro’s dubious triumph in last month’s presidential vote have gone to the streets throughout Venezuela to express their anger. Under the direction of MarĂa Corina Machado, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the capital city of Caracas and urged the people to be tenacious despite the hostile environment.
Machado's Defiant Call for Change
Machado, who had been hiding on charges of rebellion, underlined the force of popular protest. “The people have spoken,” Machado said, “there is nothing above the voice of the people.” Promising their presence on the streets was a critical statement of their collective will; she urged the protestors not to worry about the government’s reaction. Several of her followers displayed printouts of their election records from voting places as evidence of their assertions.
Government and Opposition Face Off
The Venezuelan administration responded to the mounting discontent by heavily militarizing the police presence. Simultaneously, Maduro’s followers planned their protest, indicating the growing gulf inside the country. Emphasizing the importance of continuous pressure on Maduro to acknowledge defeat, Machado warned her supporters, “We won’t leave the streets.”
Voices from the Protest
Protestor Adriana Calzadilla expressed her resolve, stating, “This is a criminal regime that wants to hang on to power. I sense freedom; I have nothing to worry about. Medical student Jose Berbin also hoped for a smooth transfer, saying, “I hope Maduro will recognize his defeat and hand over the power peacefully.”
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What I think will happen is that the dictatorship will get harder; we all need to unite against the dictatorship and show that good people are more,” he also cautioned of the possibility of further persecution.
Election Dispute and Reactions
Maduro has insisted he obtained a third six-year term as president. The opposition, however, produced alternate vote counts showing that Edmundo Gonzalez, their candidate, had prevailed very significantly. Speaking from somewhere unknown, Gonzalez demanded an “orderly transition,” questioning Maduro’s legitimacy. Dismissing Gonzalez, Maduro said he was “living in a cave.”
Lack of Transparency and Repression
Declaring that Maduro won with 52% of the vote, the electoral commission—aligned with his allies—has not released comprehensive findings. Independent watchers have attacked the opaque nature of the electoral process. Following the revelation of the contested election results on 29 July, the later turmoil has resulted in many arrests; the Venezuelan government reports over 2,400 detentions.
The UN has denounced the state’s “fierce repression” of social media criticism and public demonstrations. Similar protests have been staged internationally in Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina, among other countries. Declining to acknowledge the election results, the European Union, the United States, and certain Latin American nations have increased the global conflict over the problem.
