- Opposition in Venezuela: "We are not afraid"
Following the controversial presidential election in Venezuela, the opposition continues to fight for a change in power and the withdrawal of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. Thousands of government opponents took to the streets in the capital, Caracas, protesting against the official election results, which they believe were manipulated, declaring Maduro the winner. They chanted "We are not afraid" and cheered for their presidential candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado told her supporters from a stage that the true election results were clear and non-negotiable. "The only thing we are willing to negotiate is a peaceful transfer of power," she said. The opposition claims to have access to over 80% of the detailed voting results from individual polling stations, which the National Electoral Council has not yet published. According to these results, González would receive 67% of the votes, while Maduro would receive 30%.
After the presidential election on Sunday, the pro-government electoral authority declared Maduro the official winner. The opposition accuses the government of election fraud. The US, the EU, and several Latin American countries also doubt the official election results. The Organization of American States does not recognize Maduro's re-election and has scheduled an emergency meeting of the Permanent Council on the situation in Venezuela for Wednesday.
Biden and Lula call for publication of detailed election results
In light of the doubts surrounding the official election results, US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for transparency. They agreed that the Venezuelan electoral authority should publish the detailed results from each polling station, the White House said after a phone call between the two presidents. They share the assessment that the outcome of the election is crucial for democracy far beyond Venezuela.
At least eleven protesters, including two minors, have been killed in protests against the election results, according to the independent organization Foro Penal. A police officer was also killed, according to the Attorney General's Office.
General Attorney Tarek William Saab said that 749 protesters had been arrested nationwide. They are accused of attacking police stations, electoral offices, town halls, and hospitals, among other things, and of inciting hatred and blocking public streets.
President Maduro announced a security operation in which soldiers and police will patrol the streets and act against violent groups. He accused the opposition and the US government of planning a coup with the help of armed groups. "The oligarchy cannot accept the election results," he said. "But fascism will not prevail in Venezuela."
UN Human Rights Commissioner calls for freedom of assembly
UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk expressed concern about the violence in a statement. "I am concerned about reports of the disproportionate use of force by security forces and armed groups supporting the government," he said. "I call on the government to respect the right of all Venezuelans to assemble, protest peacefully, and express their opinions freely and without fear."
Venezuela has been grappling with a severe political and economic crisis for years. Once a prosperous nation rich in oil reserves, over 80% of its population now lives below the poverty line. Power outages are frequent, and there are shortages of gasoline, gas, and medicine. Over seven million people, a quarter of the population, have fled the country in the past decade due to poverty and violence.
The European Parliament has been appointed to aid the Commission in this matter. Recognizing the international concern, European leaders are urging the Venezuelan Commission to publish the detailed election results from each polling station, aligning with the calls made by US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
