Venezuelans residing in Mexico City have taken to the streets to protest President Nicolás Maduro’s recent election victory, marking his third consecutive term in office. The demonstrations reflect a broader discontent with the electoral process, following a poll that many opposition leaders and their supporters claim was not conducted fairly.
In a coordinated effort, Venezuela’s opposition party has called for global protests on August 17 to assert their belief that their candidate, Edmundo González, was the rightful winner of the presidential election. This call for action is garnering support from international entities, including the European Union and the United States, while several Latin American countries have yet to officially recognize Maduro’s victory.
Countering the government’s narrative, opposition figures, including Maria Corina Machado, are urging Venezuelans worldwide to demonstrate in support of their claims. Machado emphasized the importance of unifying voices to demand recognition of what she describes as a true electoral mandate, echoing sentiments shared within the opposition’s online communications asserting evidence of González’s success.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reinforced the opposition’s stance, citing significant evidence suggesting González secured the most votes. Meanwhile, the Maduro administration maintains that the results declared by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which it controls, are legitimate. Maduro has pledged to release the detailed vote tallies but has not indicated when this will occur, even as he accuses the opposition of fabricating claims against his government, characterizing these actions as a coup attempt orchestrated by foreign forces.
In the backdrop of this political turmoil, thousands have taken to the streets both in Venezuela and across Latin America to express their dissent. The Venezuelan government claims that over 2,000 individuals have been detained during the protests, with some facing terrorism charges. Notably, members of the opposition have also faced arrests, with incidents of live-streamed detentions raising concerns over human rights violations.
Freddy Superlano and Roland Carreño, both affiliated with the Popular Will party, alongside others, have reportedly been seized by security forces, further heightening tensions within the opposition ranks. Edmundo González, under pressure from the Supreme Court—an institution the opposition deems biased—declined to attend an audit of the contested election results, citing risks to his personal freedom and the integrity of the Venezuelan people’s will.
As the situation continues to evolve, the Supreme Court remains engaged in a review of the election results, asserting that its forthcoming decision will be conclusive and binding. The unfolding crisis highlights the deepening divisions within Venezuela as political and social unrest persists.
