In pictures: this is how the opposition rally in Las Mercedes went

• Maria Corina Machado attended the rally and reiterated that Edmundo Gonzalez won the presidential elections on July 28 | Photo: EFE

Leaders María Corina Machado and former presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia called for a rally on Saturday, August 3 on the main avenue of Las Mercedes, Libertador municipality, starting at 10:00 am.

The protesters gathered at approximately 9:50 a.m., most of them carrying Venezuelan flags and signs in favor of González’s victory in the presidential elections on July 28. They also reject the results issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE) that give the victory to Nicolás Maduro without showing any minutes.

María Corina Machado addressed the rally attendees at approximately 1:15 p.m. In her remarks, she reiterated the victory of Edmundo González as president-elect of Venezuela with more than 80% of the electoral records that can be validated through the website Presidential Results Venezuela 2024.

“I do not accept that we are being blackmailed, equating victims with perpetrators. We do not have firearms, it is the regime that uses them against the population. Protesting civilly and peacefully is not violence,” said Machado.

The opposition leader also condemned the attack by state security forces against protesters. So far, 11 people have been killed and nearly 900 arrested during the repression against the protests that began on July 29.

Machado also rejected the appeal filed by Nicolás Maduro before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), an organization that declared as “irreversible” the results of the presidential elections of July 28.

“There is no legal maneuver that can hide the truth. We have never been as strong as we are today. The regime has never been as weak as it is today. They have lost all legitimacy,” he added.

The attendees began the event by singing the national anthem Gloria al bravo puedo, and shouting the slogan “Long live Venezuela, we want freedom.”

Photo: The Diary

In addition, a group of protesters kneel and pray before a giant Venezuelan flag displayed in Alfredo Sadel Square, in Las Mercedes (Caracas).

At 11:26 am, protesters play drums during the rally, prior to the arrival of the truck in which Edmundo González Urrutia is traveling, along with his family, María Corina Machado and other opposition leaders.

Presence of security personnel

Although Machado called for a peaceful family gathering, the Comando Con Venezuela reported the presence of state security officials at approximately 11:00 am.

According to the alert from Comando Con Venezuela, the officials allegedly intended to detain the driver of the sound truck that will be used in the rally.

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