Mass protests are sweeping through Caracas as citizens express their outrage over President Nicolás Maduro’s assertion of victory in the contentious election. Residents are engaging in a cacophony of pots and pans, both at home and in public squares, to voice their dissent.
Demonstrators are marching on foot towards Miraflores, the presidential palace, with groups gathering from various neighborhoods, including impoverished areas of the city.
In a show of solidarity, one group braved the heavy rain to bang pots, chanting “Afuera” (Out) and “Libertad” (Freedom). Many participants are sharing images of the protests with messages like “knock down the dictator” and calling for mass action at Miraflores.
Footage reveals scenes of burning tires on highways and thousands of people actively protesting on foot and bicycle. The opposition has labeled Maduro’s victory declaration as fraudulent, claiming their candidate, Edmundo González, won decisively with 70% of the vote.
Opposition parties united behind González in a bid to oust Maduro, whose administration has faced mounting public discontent amid an ongoing economic crisis. Pre-election polls indicated strong support for the challenger.
Numerous Western and Latin American nations, along with international organizations, are urging Venezuelan authorities to disclose voting records from polling stations.
Citizens have voiced their frustrations during protests in a densely populated area known as La Lucha, or “the fight.” One participant, Paola Sarzalejo, criticized the election results, stating, “We want a better future for our youth, for our country.”
Her father echoed these sentiments, asserting that Maduro has no legitimate claim to power. He lamented, “If the youth all leave, only old people will be left in Venezuela.”
Cristobal Martinez, wrapped in a Venezuelan flag, labeled the election a “fraud” and lamented the plight of young people facing unemployment, emphasizing the need for change after years of stagnation since President Chavez’s passing.
Martinez expressed a desire for international assistance to prevent a disaster akin to Venezuela’s previous crises.
In response to the protests, President Maduro accused opposition factions of attempting to instigate a coup. He stated, “They are trying to impose in Venezuela a coup d’etat again of fascist and counter-revolutionary character.”
The Venezuelan attorney general has warned that any disruptions from protests would face legal consequences, noting that 32 individuals have already been detained for various offenses related to the unrest.
Meanwhile, US senior officials have expressed skepticism regarding the election outcome, suggesting it does not align with data from independent sources. They have called for the release of the underlying electoral data used to justify the announced results.
Despite their concerns, US officials have yet to clarify the implications of the election results on their sanctions policy towards Venezuela, recognizing the electoral process, albeit flawed.
