Mass protests have erupted across Venezuela following the disputed re-election of President Nicolás Maduro, with at least one person killed and 46 others arrested, according to NGO reports. The opposition, led by Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado, claims to have concrete evidence of their victory, asserting that González won with over 70% of the vote, nearly double Maduro’s tally.The National Electoral Council (CNE) officially declared Maduro the winner with 51.2% of the votes, while González reportedly received 44.2%. However, opposition leaders dispute these results, claiming they have proof of a wider margin of victory.Protests began peacefully but quickly turned violent as security forces intervened, using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds in Caracas and other major cities. Demonstrators responded by throwing stones and setting fire to tires, chanting slogans such as ‘Down with this government!’ and ‘Freedom, freedom!’.The international community has expressed deep concern over the election’s transparency, with several countries, including the United States, Brazil, and Colombia, questioning the legitimacy of Maduro’s re-election. The Organization of American States (OAS) has called for a complete review of the results.In response to international criticism, the Venezuelan government has expelled diplomats from seven Latin American countries and recalled its own, accusing these nations of interfering in its internal affairs. Maduro has denounced what he calls a ‘fascist coup’ attempt, while his government has deployed militias to defend the presidential palace.As tensions escalate, opposition leaders González and Machado have called for calm and urged supporters to gather peacefully to celebrate what they claim as their rightful victory. Meanwhile, the government, through Vice President of the ruling PSUV party, Diosdado Cabello, has vowed to defend the Constitution and Maduro’s proclaimed victory.
Key points
- Mass protests have erupted across Venezuela following the disputed re-election of President Nicolás Maduro.
- At least one person has been killed and 46 others arrested in the ensuing unrest.
- The opposition claims to have evidence that their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won with over 70% of the vote.
- International community expresses concern, leading to diplomatic tensions with Venezuela expelling diplomats from several countries.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports about the exact percentage of votes received by the opposition candidate, with some sources citing 44.
2% and others claiming over 70%.
👾The government accuses the opposition of attempting a ‘fascist coup’, while the opposition claims the election was fraudulent and calls for peaceful protests.
