Opposition supporters have mobilized across Venezuela to express their dissent following Nicolas Maduro’s contentious victory in the recent presidential election. In Caracas, opposition leader María Corina Machado addressed thousands of demonstrators, encouraging them to stand firm and not be afraid.
Having previously gone into hiding amid accusations of insurrection, Machado declared that the voice of the people prevails and reaffirmed that the public had made their stance clear. The government responded with a heavy deployment of police and military forces as Maduro’s supporters also organized a rally.
“We won’t vacate the streets,” Machado declared to her supporters, many of whom held voting records as evidence of their claimed electoral victory. Despite being barred from participating in the election, Machado has called for widespread protests to pressure Maduro into acknowledging the claims of defeat.
Determined to continue their protest, demonstrators expressed fervent opposition to the government. One participant stated, “This is a criminal government that wants to cling to power. I sense freedom, and I have nothing to fear.” Another protester, a medical student, expressed hope that Maduro would peacefully concede power, while predicting that the regime might respond with increased oppression.
Maduro asserts that he has secured a third six-year term in office, but opposition figures have released figures suggesting their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won by a significant margin. Gonzalez, speaking from an undisclosed location, called for an “orderly transition” of power.
During his own rally, Maduro ridiculed Gonzalez, implying his isolation. The electoral commission, dominated by Maduro’s allies, has declared the president the winner with 52% of the vote, yet independent observers have criticized the process for its lack of transparency.
Since the election, anti-government protests have intensified, resulting in the detention of hundreds by security forces loyal to Maduro. The Venezuelan government reports that over 2,400 individuals have been arrested since the announcement of the disputed election results. The UN has condemned the “fierce repression” faced by protesters in the streets and on social media.
Demonstrations have also erupted in various cities globally, including locations in Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina. The European Union, the United States, and several Latin American countries have refused to recognize the election outcome.
