- Edmundo González did not appear before the TSJ, Maduro ordered the blocking of X, four journalists were charged with terrorism and Panama is willing to offer temporary political asylum to Nicolás Maduro
This week, Edmundo González Urrutia did not appear before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ). Meanwhile, the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela reported that it began receiving information about possible human rights violations following the presidential elections on July 28.
The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) reported that four journalists were charged with terrorism.
Meanwhile, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said his government would be willing to offer temporary political asylum to Nicolás Maduro to promote a transition in Venezuela.
Maduro ordered the blocking of the social network X for 10 days, while a group of deputies of the National Assembly prepares a law to regulate digital platforms.
Below are the highlights of the week:
On August 7, Edmundo González issued a statement detailing the reasons why he did not appear before the TSJ Electoral Chamber. The president of the judicial body, Caryslia Rodríguez, summoned the opposition leader for 11:00 am that day to submit all the electoral material he had in his possession and then answer the questions posed by the judicial body.
“If I go to the Electoral Chamber under these conditions, I will be in absolute vulnerability due to defenselessness and violation of due process, and I will put at risk not only my freedom but, more importantly, the will of the Venezuelan people expressed on July 28, 2024 and the gigantic effort of the Venezuelans who have participated in this process so that we could obtain evidence of the vote validly cast by the citizens,” the politician wrote in the document published on his X account.
González explained that the legal process being carried out by the TSJ does not correspond to any procedure contemplated in the Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice or any other law on electoral jurisdiction.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela reported on Thursday, August 8, that it has begun receiving information about possible human rights violations that occurred following the July 28 presidential elections.
The organization has set up a website to publish files containing records of possible cases of human rights violations.
The UN Human Rights Council explained that the information will be stored in a digital folder and will be evaluated by the mission’s representatives.
“The @UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela is receiving information on human rights violations following the July 28 elections. The information can be sent securely and confidentially,” the organization said on its X account.
On August 7, the SNTP reported that four journalists were charged with the crime of terrorism. The journalists were detained while covering the post-election protests that have been reported in the country since July 29.
“There is an illegal and arbitrary use of anti-terrorism laws, especially against journalists and photojournalists detained during post-election protests,” the union warned in a post on X.
The four journalists charged are photojournalists Yousner Alvarado, from Barinas; Deisy Peña, from Miranda; cameraman Paul Leon, from Trujillo; and journalist Jose Gregorio Carnero, from Guárico.
Panamanian President Raúl Mulino said on Friday, August 9, that his government “would be willing” to temporarily grant political asylum to Nicolás Maduro to promote a peaceful transition in Venezuela.
“If we have to offer our territory to be the bridge to make the transition from Venezuela to a third country, I do not believe that we can stay in Panama. If that is the sacrifice that has to be made, putting our land so that this man (Maduro) and his family can leave Venezuela, Panama would do it,” Mulino said in an interview for the program CNN Cafe.
Mulino said that the possibility had already been communicated to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva through the Foreign Ministry.
On Thursday, August 8, Nicolás Maduro ordered the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, to be taken out of circulation for a period of 10 days, so that the company can present “requirements” to the country’s authorities.
At a political event, Maduro explained that he signed the proposal to suspend X, owned by South African tycoon Elon Musk, drawn up by the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel), with the aim of “enforcing the laws.”
“X should get out of Venezuela for 10 days, so that they can present their documents and establish the definitive administrative measure, but enough is enough, enough of trying to sow violence, hatred, of trying to attack Venezuela from abroad,” said Maduro, who has accused Musk of being part of a “cyber coup” against him.
On August 8, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) reported that a group of Venezuelan deputies are preparing a law to regulate social media, after Nicolás Maduro pointed to the American companies WhatsApp and Instagram and the Chinese company TikTok as instruments “that multiply hatred and fascism” in the country.
In a press release, Congresswoman Imarú González said that the objective is to “review or create a norm” that regulates the use of social networks, given their “growing negative impact” on “children and adolescents” and “the violence unleashed on these digital platforms.”
In addition, the first vice president of the Commission on Families, Freedom of Religion and Cults of the National Assembly pointed out that the discussion responds to “the call” of Maduro, who recently said that in Venezuela there is “no type of national regulation” on this matter.
Peter Stano, spokesman for the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, expressed on August 6 his rejection of the criminal investigation initiated by the Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office against opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González for alleged “incitement to insurrection.”
The official said the European bloc is “very concerned” about the evolution of the political crisis in the country following the presidential elections on July 28.
“We call on the (Venezuelan) authorities to put an end to this campaign of intimidation,” Stano told reporters.
Venezuela’s Attorney General’s Office announced on Wednesday, August 7, that it has opened an investigation for “conspiracy” and other crimes against the website where the opposition claims to have published 83.5% of the minutes of the July 28 presidential elections, which show the victory of its standard-bearer, Edmundo González Urrutia, despite the fact that the electoral body proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner.
According to a statement released on X by the Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, these are “forged documents” with which the majority opposition – grouped in the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – intends to “usurp functions of the National Electoral Council (CNE).”
9.Venezuela’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics
This week, Venezuela competed in several disciplines of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
On August 8, athlete Angelina Venegas obtained an Olympic diploma after finishing fourth in the 59-kilogram weightlifting category. Meanwhile, Julio Mayora was eliminated after making his debut in the 73-kilogram weightlifting category.
On August 7, the persistent Katherine Echandía finished ninth in the 49-kilogram women’s weightlifting category.
These are other athletes who competed this week:
-Joselyn Brea
-Robeilys Hairstyle
-José Maita
-Rosa Rodriguez
-Raiber Rodriguez
-Leslie Romero
Portuguese-Brazilian centre-back Képler Laveran de Lima Ferreira “Pepe” announced on Thursday, August 8 that he is retiring from professional football at the age of 41. The defender was a starter for teams such as Real Madrid, Porto and the Portuguese national team.
Pepe announced his retirement in a video shared on his social media, in which he reviews his career and the 31 trophies he has won, including the three Champions Leagues he won with Real Madrid.
In the recording, titled “Obrigado” (thank you in Portuguese), the player recalled the essential role of his mother for “letting him fly towards his dream of being a professional footballer” and thanked his family, fans, teammates and club presidents who believed in him.
In The Diary We present you a summary of the most important information of the day, which you should know at the national and international level.
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2024-08-11 18:04:28
