Worldwide protests against Maduro government in Venezuela
Published: Sunday, Aug 18th 2024, 03:50
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Following the presidential election in Venezuela, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud, thousands of people around the world have protested against the government of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. At demonstrations in Venezuela and abroad, they demanded recognition of the victory of the opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia in the vote on July 28.
"Today we have made history here and in 300 cities around the world," said opposition leader María Corina Machado at a rally in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. "We have the voices, we have the evidence - we will not leave the streets to them."
According to government opponents, there were demonstrations in Australia, South Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and the USA, among others. Due to the country's severe political and economic crisis, more than seven million people - a quarter of the population - have left Venezuela and are living abroad.
Maduro: "Six more years of rule by the people"
Socialist President Maduro also brought his supporters onto the streets. "We have won again because peace has won, because the people have won," he said at a rally in Caracas. "Now comes another six years of rule by the people, of the Bolivarian Revolution."
After the presidential election almost three weeks ago, the electoral authority loyal to the government officially declared President Maduro, who has been in office since 2013, the winner. This means he could run for another six-year term in January. However, the electoral office has not yet published a breakdown of the results for the individual constituencies. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud and is claiming victory.
Since then, people have regularly protested in the South American country. The police cracked down on the demonstrators. According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, over 1,400 people were arrested, including more than 120 minors. According to the non-governmental organization Provea, 24 people were killed during the protests.
Opposition leader Machado, meanwhile, issued slogans of perseverance. "We have never been as strong as we are today. The regime has never been so weak. We must now trust in our strength," she said in a video message to her supporters. She called on the security forces to switch sides and support the opposition.
According to their own information, the government opponents have the detailed results lists from more than 80 percent of the voting districts. According to these, González is said to have received 67% of the votes and Maduro only 30%.
The USA and a number of Latin American countries have already recognized the ex-diplomat González as the winner of the election. The European Union, the Organization of American States and numerous other countries in the region have at least expressed clear doubts about the official election results and demanded the publication of the detailed results lists. The Supreme Court, which is loyal to the party line, is currently examining the election documents. Many countries had already refused to recognize Maduro's re-election in 2018, but the military in the country stood by him.
Venezuela has been in a serious political and economic crisis for years, which is also due to the mismanagement of the socialist government under Maduro. More than 80 percent of the population in this once prosperous country with large oil reserves live below the poverty line.
©Keystone/SDA
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