Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Caracas, Venezuela, following the announcement that Nicolas Maduro had won Sunday’s presidential election. The opposition has raised doubts about the official results, which were certified by the National Electoral Council (CNE). Protesters expressed their anger by chanting slogans such as “Freedom, freedom!” and “This government is going to fall!” and knocking down statues of Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s predecessor who handpicked him as his successor.
Security forces responded to the protests with tear gas and rubber bullets, leading to clashes between protesters and authorities. Some protesters wore protective gear such as motorbike helmets and bandannas, while others retaliated by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails. Maduro dismissed international criticism and doubts about the election result, labeling the protests as an attempted “coup d’etat” of a “fascist and counter-revolutionary” nature.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado disputed the election results, claiming that a review of voting records showed that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia should be the rightful winner. Machado herself had been barred from running by Maduro-aligned courts. The elections were held amid concerns of fraud and accusations of political intimidation, with pollsters predicting a victory for the opposition. However, the CNE announced that Maduro had won 51.2 percent of the vote compared to 44.2 percent for Gonzalez Urrutia.
The opposition’s claims of fraud prompted Attorney General Tarek William Saab to accuse Machado of involvement in a cyberattack aimed at altering the election results. The outcome of the election elicited concern and calls for transparency from the United Nations, United States, European Union, and other countries in Latin America. The CNE has not provided a detailed breakdown of the election results, further fueling doubts and suspicions surrounding the election process.
The election was the result of a deal struck between the government and opposition last year, which temporarily eased sanctions imposed by the United States following Maduro’s previous election. However, sanctions were reinstated after Maduro failed to meet agreed-upon conditions. The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with ongoing protests, international scrutiny, and a deeply divided political landscape. The future of the country and its leadership remains uncertain as Maduro begins his third term in office until 2031.
