Bloody protests against Maduro's supposed election victory
Venezuelas authoritarian President Maduro is declared the winner by the government-loyal electoral authority, but not only the opposition has doubts about this result. Thousands of people take to the streets in Caracas, and there are deaths.
Venezuela's opposition refuses to accept the victory of President Nicolás Maduro after the counting, which was accompanied by fraud allegations. Thousands of government opponents went to the streets of the capital, Caracas, to support their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia. "The only thing we are ready to negotiate is a peaceful transfer of power," said opposition leader María Corina Machado. The protesters chanted: "We are not afraid."
According to official reports, 749 people have been arrested so far. They allegedly attacked police stations, electoral offices, town halls, and hospitals, said Attorney General Tarek William Saab. They are accused of terrorism, incitement to hatred, and blocking public streets. One police officer was killed in clashes between protesters and security forces. The Ministry of Defense reports 23 injured military personnel. Civilian casualties count over 40, according to the National Hospital Survey network. Human rights organization Foro Penal reports that 11 people have been killed in the protests, including two minors. The organization's director, Alfredo Romero, expressed concern about the "use of firearms."
Government speaks of "coup"
The National Electoral Council officially declared Maduro, who has been ruling since 2013, the winner of the presidential election on Sunday. However, the electoral authority has not yet published the detailed results of the individual polling stations. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud and claims victory for their candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. The USA, the EU, the Organization of American States, and several Latin American countries also doubt the official election result. According to their own statements, the opposition has access to 75 percent of the detailed election results from the individual voting districts. According to the NTN24 TV channel, González has 68 percent of the votes and Maduro has 29 percent. "We will rebuild Venezuela," González said to his supporters.
"We are facing a coup d'état organized by the fascist forces of the extreme right with the support of imperialist forces, the U.S. imperialism," said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López. "We will thwart this coup."
González called on the state security forces to exercise restraint. "Stop suppressing peaceful demonstrations," he said in a video message. "You know what happened on Sunday, fulfill your oath. The Constitution is above all. The Venezuelans want peace and respect for the will of the people."
The following declaration of Maduro's victory by the government-loyal electoral authority has been met with strong suspicion by not only the opposition but also international bodies like the USA, EU, and OAS. Despite government claims of a coup attempt, the opposition leader, María Corina Machado, strikes a diplomatic tone, stating, "The only thing we are ready to negotiate is a peaceful transfer of power."
