They denounced repression against protesters in the interior of the country

• During the demonstrations, tear gas bombs, attacks on the press and arrests have been reported | Photo: Comando con Venezuela | Twitter

On Saturday, August 17, security officials repressed protesters in different cities in Venezuela who demonstrated to ratify the victory of Edmundo González in the presidential elections of July 28.

Among the different cities in the country where protests were recorded are Maturín (Monagas), San Cristóbal (Táchira), Bruzual (Apure).

In Maracay, Aragua state, Crónica Uno published a video on social media showing repression against protesters at 10:33 a.m. Officials from the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) surrounded the gathering on 19 de Abril Avenue.

Photo: Video Capture | @CronicaUno Twitter

Meanwhile, in Guatire (Miranda state), security officers, wearing balaclavas and riot gear, began to surround the place where the citizens were gathered.

“People are afraid and fear is free. There are more police than protesters. We want them to recognize that we are the ones who won the elections on July 28. Unfortunately, we were faced with this bad situation, but we must fight,” said a leader of Primero Justicia to Chronicle One.

Arrests and attacks against the press

Users on social media reported that in Maracay, Aragua state, GNB officers took a man into custody in one of their vehicles. The identity of the person is still unknown.

The video shows the man trying to free himself from the military officer, while people in the background shout “Freedom” and ask the detainee for his name. Another person can also be seen being detained on one of the GNB motorcycles.

Opposition protesters in the city of Maracay are being targeted. pic.twitter.com/VGTtPPysgw

— Hesus Petit (@HesusPetit) August 17, 2024

The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) of Venezuela denounced attacks against journalists from Maracay who were covering the demonstration.

According to the SNTP, journalist David Marcano, from the regional media The Little Newspaperwas surrounded by military personnelThe incident occurred while he was recording the moment when the GNB was trying to disperse protesters with tear gas.

In a video recorded in Maturín, Monagas state, protesters can be seen demanding that GNB officers “stop the provocation” and reiterating that they are protesting peacefully.

In Maturin, Monagas State, a Venezuelan grandmother stands up to a group of hitmen from the Maduro dictatorship who end up surrounding her.

Video sent to me by a follower present at the demonstration. pic.twitter.com/ZMtdBj2sT0

— Agustín Antonetti (@agusantonetti) August 17, 2024

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