2024-08-18 02:03:24
Venezuela’s presidential election has been marred by accusations of fraud, with thousands around the world protesting against the government of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. Amid demonstrations in Venezuela and abroad, they are demanding recognition of the victory of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia in the July 28 vote.
“Today we made history here and in 300 cities around the world,” opposition leader María Corina Machado told a rally in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. “We have the votes. , we have evidence – we will not let them take to the streets.”
Demonstrations have taken place in Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and the United States, according to government opponents. As a result of the country’s severe political and economic crisis, more than seven million people, a quarter of the population, have left Venezuela and are living abroad.
Socialist President Maduro also took his supporters to the streets. “We are winning again because of peace, because the people have won,” he told a rally in Caracas. “Now after another six years of rule by the people, the Bolivarian Revolution.”
After the presidential election nearly three weeks ago, pro-government electoral authorities officially declared Maduro, the head of state who has been in power since 2013, the winner. That means he could serve another six-year term in January. However, the election office has not released detailed results for each constituency. The opposition accused the government of electoral fraud and claimed victory.
People in the South American country have staged regular protests since then. The police took strict action against the demonstrators. According to the NGO Foro Penal, more than 1,400 people were arrested, including more than 120 minors. According to the NGO Provea, 24 people died during the protests.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Machado issued a rallying cry for perseverance. “We have never been stronger than today. The regime has never been weaker. We must believe in our strength now,” she said in a video message to supporters. She called on security forces to change their stance and support the opposition.
According to their own information, the government opposition has detailed results lists for more than 80% of the constituencies. As a result, González is said to have received 67% of the vote, while Maduro only received 30%.
The United States and some Latin American countries have recognized Gonzalez, a former diplomat, as the winner of the election. The European Union, the Organization of American States and many other countries in the region have expressed at least clear doubts about the official election results and called for a detailed list of results to be released. The loyal Supreme Court is currently reviewing election documents. In 2018, many countries did not recognize Maduro’s re-election, but the country’s military supported him.
Venezuela has been in deep political and economic crisis for years, caused by mismanagement by the socialist government under Maduro. In this once prosperous country with vast oil reserves, more than 80% of the population lives below the poverty line.
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