Venezuelans in Caracas and worldwide rally to support opposition’s victory claim

Venezuelans around the globe rallied on Saturday in response to a call from their political opposition, showcasing flags and other symbols of patriotism. These demonstrations were organized to assert the opposition’s claim of victory over President Nicolás Maduro in the recent presidential election, which has been widely contested.

Protests took place in major cities including Tokyo, Sydney, Mexico City, and many others, aiming to raise international awareness about what the opposition views as the true outcome of the election. The opposition coalition has also urged governments worldwide to back their candidate, Edmundo González, and to support Venezuelans who feel threatened for opposing Maduro in a climate of severe repression.

In Caracas, opposition leader María Corina Machado was seen standing on a truck as she traversed the streets, rallying supporters with chants of “brave” and “freedom.” Addressing the crowd, Machado proclaimed that it was essential for “every vote to be respected.”

She emphatically stated, “Let the world and everyone in Venezuela recognize that the president-elect is Edmundo González,” drawing applause from thousands of supporters gathered to express their dissent.

Despite not attending the demonstration in Caracas, González took to social media before the event to assert, “They will not be able to cover up the reality of July 28: we won resoundingly.”

In Mexico City, at the iconic Monument to the Revolution, hundreds participated in the protests chanting “Freedom! Freedom!” and echoed calls for Maduro to step down. The atmosphere was energized as onlookers and passing motorists joined the chorus with honking horns.

Antonia Imbernon, a participant in the protest, expressed concern about the government’s reluctance to disclose the official voting records, questioning, “What are they afraid of?” She pointed out that the Venezuelan National Electoral Council, which is aligned with the ruling party, declared Maduro the victor shortly after polls closed, yet they failed to release detailed voting data that authenticated their claims of a 6.4 million to 5.3 million vote margin in favor of Maduro.

In a surprising turn, González and Machado disclosed that they had access to over 80% of the voting tallies generated by electronic voting machines, revealing a wider margin of victory for González. They made these documents publicly available on a website, further bolstering the opposition’s claims.

Machado encouraged supporters to print their local tally sheets and bring them to the rallies. In Mexico City, participants held signs criticizing the Mexican government for abstaining from a recent Organization of American States hearing on the election crisis in Venezuela, stating, “Mexico, we missed you at the OEA.”

The opposition continues to stress the importance of the international community’s support in pressuring Maduro to recognize the legitimate election results.

Janett Hurtado, a Venezuelan who immigrated two years ago, remarked, “The derision is worse this time because there is proof; anyone can see them.” She highlighted the fear among many Venezuelans, noting that her friends have stopped contacting her since the protests began, citing government crackdowns.

The Venezuelan government has reportedly detained over 2,000 individuals for opposing Maduro or casting doubt on his alleged electoral victory, with at least 24 reported fatalities linked to the unrest, according to human rights organization Provea. The severity of these detentions marks a troubling escalation in the government’s response to dissent.

The ongoing crackdown has led to the arrests of journalists, political leaders, and even defense attorneys for demonstrators. Some individuals have found their passports revoked while trying to flee the country, and there have been alarming reports of activists being apprehended during livestreamed incidents that exposed the harsh realities of the regime.

Veronica Guedez, Hurtado’s daughter, expressed the pain felt by many as they witness these events unfold. She stated, “It pains us to see what’s happening. We are here to support each other as brothers and sisters.”

The opposition faced a setback earlier this week when Brazil and Colombia, both of which had been advocating for the release of vote tallies supporting Maduro’s victory, began suggesting the idea of redoing the election. However, Machado firmly rejected the notion of rerunning the election, calling it “an insult” to the people and their votes.

Source: AP