- Venezuela's opposition: 'Violence is Maduro's last resort'
After the presidential election in Venezuela, which was overshadowed by fraud allegations, the opposition continues to fight for a change in government in the South American country. Despite massive doubts about the legitimacy of his re-election, the authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro is resisting with all his might.
"Venezuela and the whole world know that violence is the last resort of the Maduro regime," wrote opposition leader María Corina Machado on the X platform. "After the clear victory we Venezuelans have achieved, the regime's response is murder, kidnapping, and persecution. These crimes will not go unpunished."
The non-governmental organization Foro Penal reports 11 deaths during demonstrations
According to the independent organization Foro Penal, at least 11 demonstrators, including two minors, have been killed so far in protests against the election results. Additionally, a police officer was killed, according to the Attorney General's Office. State security forces arrested hundreds of demonstrators. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk and EU High Representative Josep Borrell called on security forces to exercise restraint.
After the presidential election on Sunday, the pro-government electoral authority declared Maduro the official winner. The opposition accuses the government of election fraud and claims victory for its candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. It says it has access to more than 80 percent of the detailed election results from individual voting districts that the National Electoral Council has not yet published. According to these results, González would receive 67 percent of the votes and Maduro 30 percent.
Doubts about the official election result
The official election result is also doubted by the USA, the EU, and a number of Latin American countries. Peru even recognized the opposition candidate González as the election winner, leading Venezuela to break off diplomatic relations with the South American country.
The Carter Center election observers gave Venezuela a damning report. "The presidential election did not meet international standards and cannot be considered democratic," the non-governmental organization said in a statement.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an independent review of the election results in the face of fraud allegations. "I call on the Venezuelan government to allow a transparent recount of the votes and result lists under the observation of all political forces and professional international observers," the left-wing president, who has a good relationship with Maduro, wrote on X. "The serious doubts about the election process could lead to a deep and violent split in society."
Maduro, in turn, accused the opposition of manipulation attempts. He requested an investigation by the Supreme Court and announced that he would soon publish the detailed result lists. "There is an international conspiracy against Venezuela. This is the most criminal attack we have ever experienced," said the head of state.
Thousands of people took to the streets to protest what they see as a manipulated election result. They set up roadblocks, and the police used tear gas and batons against them. According to Attorney General Tarek William Saab, 1,062 demonstrators were arrested nationwide. They are accused of terrorism, incitement to hatred, and blocking public roads.
In light of the harsh crackdown by security forces against protesters following the controversial presidential election, EU High Representative Borrell called for an end to repression. "The Venezuelan government should halt arrests, repression, and violent rhetoric against the opposition," the EU's chief diplomat tweeted. "Authorities and security forces must guarantee respect for human rights."
Venezuela has been grappling with a severe political and economic crisis for years. In this once-wealthy country, rich in oil reserves, over 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. Power outages are common, and there are shortages of gasoline, gas, and medicine. Over seven million people - a quarter of the population - have fled Venezuela in the past decade due to poverty and violence.
The UN Human Rights Commissioner, Volker Türk, urged the Venezuelan security forces to exercise restraint during the protests against the election results. The international community, including the USA, EU, and several Latin American countries, have expressed doubts about the official election result in Venezuela.
