- The bloc, made up of 37 former presidents from Latin America and Spain, recalled that the United Nations (UN) denounced the repression by the government of Nicolás Maduro | Main photo: EFE
The Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (IDEA Group) demanded on Monday, August 12, that the governments of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico ask the government of Nicolás Maduro to publish the voting records of the presidential elections of July 28.
“(The IDEA Group) informs the public that (…) it is informing the governments of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico of their obligation to demand that this (the government of Nicolás Maduro) present to them, and their electoral bodies, immediately, the voting records, table by table and broken down,” the organization wrote in a press release.
The group, made up of 37 former presidents from Latin America and Spain, recalled that the United Nations (UN) denounced the repression by the Venezuelan government, which has increased in the country after the presidential elections.
“We must put an end to the tragedy that has left thousands of victims in Venezuela and denies it its right to a transition to democracy and peace. The UN has demanded an end to the repression and an investigation into the repressors following the presidential election,” he added.
The UN’s position on repression in Venezuela
The United Nations (UN) Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela published a statement on Monday, August 12, to demand that the government of Nicolás Maduro “immediately stop the growing repression that is shaking the country” following the presidential elections on July 28.
The organization described that “the protests in the streets and on social media in the weeks following the elections gave way to fierce repression by the State machinery.” In the text, the Mission noted that these actions ordered “from its highest authorities” have “created a climate of widespread fear.”
The panel of experts also warned that it has a record of 23 deaths in the context of post-election protests and noted that the vast majority of the victims suffered “gunshot wounds, which took place between July 28 and August 8.”
“In 18 cases, the victims were men under 30 years of age. The deaths reported in the context of the protests must be thoroughly investigated and, if abusive use of lethal force by security forces and the involvement of armed civilians acting with the connivance of these forces is confirmed, those responsible must be held accountable. The victims and their families must obtain justice,” said Marta Valiñas, president of the Mission.
In it statement It is concluded that, preliminarily, at least 1,260 people have been arrested since July 28, including 160 women. Most of the arrests took place in the Capital District (18%), followed by the states of Carabobo (16%) and Anzoátegui (9%). The Mission alleges that the data announced by the Public Prosecutor’s Office “raise the figure to 2,200 people” and that they are being “indiscriminately classified as terrorists.”
The experts pointed out that the “vast majority” of arrests occurred when they “expressed their rejection of the result of the presidential election announced by the authorities” or “after participating in protests or expressing their opinions on social media.” The Mission stressed that arbitrary detentions represent “serious violations of due process.”
The agency also received “particularly worrying” information about the arrests of more than 100 children and adolescents, who have been charged with “the same serious crimes as adults.”
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2024-08-12 18:57:05
