Opposition protesters in Venezuela have been demonstrating against the results of a recent election that saw President Nicolas Maduro secure another term in power. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has called for demonstrations across the country and abroad, urging supporters to remain firm and united. The opposition claims the election was marred by fraud and has been calling for the release of a full breakdown of votes. The protests have continued for weeks, resulting in at least 25 deaths, nearly 200 injuries, and over 2,400 arrests.
The unrest in Venezuela has led to concerns about a wider crackdown by the government on opposition leaders and protesters. Relatiives of those detained have expressed concerns about their whereabouts, and human rights organizations have been vocal about the situation. The Venezuelan government has not provided proof of the election results, claiming that the system was hacked. Machado, who had her presidential candidacy blocked, is expected to participate in the protest in Caracas. A heightened security presence has been observed in the city, with deployments in key areas.
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has been accused of presiding over an economic collapse that has led to millions of Venezuelans leaving the country. In response to the protests, Maduro has accused his opponents of attempting a coup and has called for the arrests of Machado and Gonzalez. The opposition leader has rejected calls for new elections, arguing that it would undermine the popular will expressed in July. International pressure has been mounting on Maduro to release a detailed vote breakdown, with the OAS and the European Union calling for an impartial verification of the election outcome.
In response to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, protests have erupted in other countries around the world in support of the opposition. In Australia, over 100 Venezuelans rallied in Sydney, waving national flags and sending a message of solidarity to those protesting in Venezuela. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, with calls for transparency and accountability from the Maduro government. The protests in Venezuela and abroad reflect the deep-seated frustration and anger over the election results and the political situation in the country, with no immediate resolution in sight.
