Protests against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have grown since the recent presidential election. The opposition claims to have gotten voting results indicating that their candidate, Edmundo González, won the race with more than 6 million votes to Maduro’s 2 million. However, the electoral body, which Maduro controls, announced that he won with 51% of the vote, a result that has generated widespread doubt and violent protests around the country. The world community has asked for a transparent vote count to protect the integrity of the election.
The opposition, led by González and María Corina Machado, presented count sheets with over 6 million votes for González, compared to just over 2 million for Maduro. These claims stand in opposition to the official results, which have sparked mistrust among domestic and international observers alike. “I don’t want gold, I don’t want CLAP (the government food aid programme), I want Nicolas (Maduro) to leave,” chanted protesters banging pots.
Protests broke out in Caracas and other places, with people clashing with police. The authorities responded harshly, with claims of tear gas being deployed to disperse crowds and at least one protester dead. The crisis has also resulted in symbolic acts of defiance, such as the fall of a statue of Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor and mentor.
The international community has responded strongly, calling for a transparent vote count. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed grave reservations about the reliability of the declared results. Several South American countries have also expressed doubt, seeking a fair and transparent election process.
Venezuela’s future is at stake as the scenario unfolds. The opposition has called for more demonstrations, while the administration shows no signs of giving up. The result of this crisis will not only alter Venezuela’s political landscape, but will also have long-term consequences for its stability and the lives of its population.
