World

Maduro’s Re-election Sparks Unrest: Thousands Protest Across Venezuela

Thousands of Venezuelans, led by prominent opposition figure María Corina Machado, took to the streets across the country on Saturday to protest President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial re-election. Machado, who had been in hiding due to threats of arrest, made a dramatic appearance in Caracas, riding in a truck with a banner reading “Venezuela has won!”

Machado, who supported Edmundo González Urrutia’s candidacy after being barred from running herself, declared that González Urrutia had won 67 percent of the vote, although he was not present at the rally. Supporters chanted “Freedom!” as Machado’s truck passed, and she told the crowd, “We have never been so strong as today,” adding that “the regime has never been weaker.”

Fears of Repression and Violence

Despite the show of strength, many opposition supporters are apprehensive, recalling the severe repression during Maduro’s previous administration in 2017, which resulted in around 100 deaths. Activist Katiusca Camargo highlighted the ongoing fears, noting, “We have dead, wounded, detainees, missing people… People know it. They are afraid.”

READ MORE: UK Unrest: Far-Right Protests Lead To Violence And Clashes Across Multiple Cities

Maduro Mobilizes Supporters

In response, Maduro called for “the mother of all marches” later in the day. He accused the opposition of planning attacks on security forces during their rallies. His supporters, numbering in the thousands, marched towards the presidential palace, rallying under the banner of “national peace.”

International Reactions and Controversies

The Venezuelan electoral authority, aligned with Maduro, declared him the winner with 52 percent of the vote compared to González Urrutia’s 43 percent. This result has been contested by several countries including the United States, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay. The opposition has launched a website publishing 84 percent of the ballots cast, claiming this evidence shows a clear victory for González Urrutia, although the government dismisses these as forgeries.

European Union leaders, including those from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Spain, have expressed “strong concern” and urged Venezuela to release all voting records to ensure transparency and integrity in the electoral process. Maduro has responded to international criticism by labeling the fraud allegations as a “trap” set by Washington to justify a “coup.”

Continued Strife and Emigration

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, has overseen a drastic economic decline, with a GDP drop of 80 percent, prompting over seven million Venezuelans to emigrate.

While Saturday’s rallies were relatively peaceful compared to the violent protests earlier in the week, which led to 11 deaths and over 1,000 arrests according to the NGO Foro Penal, tensions remain high. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concern for the safety of Machado and González Urrutia and congratulated González Urrutia on receiving the most votes.

In Bogotá, Venezuelan émigrés gathered in Plaza de Bolívar to protest Maduro’s re-election. Colombia, which hosts around three million of the seven million Venezuelans who have fled, has seen many of its residents yearning for peace and a return to their homeland. “We don’t want violence, we just want him to leave, we only want peace,” said 43-year-old Maudie Lopez. “I want to return to my country.”

Maduro’s prior re-election in 2018 was similarly disputed by numerous Latin American countries, the United States, and European Union members. Despite this, he retains support from the military, electoral bodies, courts, and allies like Russia, China, and Cuba.

ALSO READ: Zelenskyy: Wagner Troops In Venezuela Illustrate Russia’s Interference In Foreign Affairs

Prateek Levi

Recent Posts

Starbucks Worker’s Strikes Now Hit Major Cities; Here’s What They Are Demanding

The five-day strike happens during the busy holiday season and has temporarily closed many Starbucks…

3 mins ago

PM Modi Expresses Heartfelt Condemnation Of Efforts To Incite Violence In Society

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Christmas celebration hosted by the Catholic Bishops’…

12 mins ago

Pushpa 2 Producer Donates ₹50 Lakh To Stampede Victim’s Family

The highly anticipated release of Pushpa 2: The Rule was overshadowed by a tragic incident…

21 mins ago

Explosives And Arms Recovered In Strife-Torn Churachandpur, Manipur

Security forces conducted a series of successful operations in Manipur’s conflict-ridden Churachandpur district, recovering explosives,…

37 mins ago

Allu Arjun To Appear Before Chikkadpally Police At 11am Over Sandhya Theatre Stampede- What Happens If He Doesn’t?

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy criticized prominent Telugu actor Allu Arjun on Saturday, alleging…

38 mins ago

Adani Defence And Aerospace To Acquire Air Works India Pvt Ltd For An Enterprise Value Of Rs 400 Cr

Adani Defence & Aerospace, part of the Adani Group, is a pioneer in the design,…

44 mins ago