Silverio Omari
Fresh protests are expected in Venezuela on Tuesday following the death of one person during demonstrations against a disputed election result that granted President Nicolas Maduro a third term. On Monday, security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters who were challenging Maduro’s reelection, which has been contested by the opposition and questioned by numerous international bodies.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in several neighborhoods of the capital, chanting slogans like “Freedom, freedom!” and “This government is going to fall!” Some demonstrators tore down Maduro’s campaign posters and burned them. Additionally, two statues of Hugo Chavez, the late leader who preceded Maduro, were toppled by the crowds.
In the northwest state of Yaracuy, one person died and 46 were arrested during the post-election protests, according to Alfredo Romero, head of the Foro Penal rights group. The cause of the death has not been disclosed.
The National Electoral Council (CNE) has confirmed Maduro’s reelection for another six-year term, extending his presidency until 2031. Maduro dismissed international skepticism about the election results, describing the situation as an attempted “coup d’etat” by “fascist and counter-revolutionary” forces.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado stated that a review of the voting records indicated a clear victory for Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who replaced her on the ballot after she was disqualified by courts aligned with Maduro. Machado asserted that the results showed Gonzalez Urrutia received 6.27 million votes, while Maduro garnered 2.75 million, a “mathematically irreversible” lead. She called for nationwide “popular assemblies” on Tuesday to support a peaceful transition of power, emphasizing that “millions of citizens in Venezuela… want to see that their vote counts.”
Maduro’s campaign manager, Jorge Rodriguez, called for “large marches starting this Tuesday to celebrate the victory.”
In Caracas, AFP observed national guard members firing tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters, some of whom responded by throwing rocks. Protests were reported even in traditionally pro-Maduro areas of Caracas, with some shots heard.
“We want freedom. We want Maduro to go. Maduro, leave!” said Marina Sugey, a 42-year-old resident of Petare in Caracas.
The elections were held amid widespread concerns of government fraud and allegations of political intimidation. The CNE reported that Maduro won 51.2% of the votes, while Gonzalez Urrutia received 44.2%.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused Machado of being involved in an alleged cyber “attack” aimed at “adulterating” the election results after the opposition raised concerns.
The United Nations, United States, European Union, and several Latin American countries have called for a “transparent” electoral process, while allies such as China, Russia, and Cuba congratulated Maduro. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged the Venezuelan opposition to accept the election results and warned against external interference.
Gonzalez Urrutia, a 74-year-old former diplomat, acknowledged the widespread dissatisfaction with the CNE’s results and vowed to “fight for our liberty.” Nine Latin American countries have called for a complete review of the election results with independent electoral observers present. The US-based Carter Center, which had observers in Venezuela, urged the CNE to publish detailed results from each polling station immediately. Brazil and Colombia also called for a review, while Chile’s president expressed disbelief at the outcome. Peru recalled its ambassador, and Panama announced it was suspending relations with Venezuela. The Washington-based Organization of American States called for an emergency meeting on Wednesday at the request of Argentina and other countries that challenged the CNE’s tally.
In response, Caracas announced it was withdrawing diplomatic staff from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. It also suspended flights to and from Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Independent polls had predicted the election would mark the end of 25 years of “Chavismo,” the populist movement founded by Hugo Chavez. Maduro has been in power since 2013, during which time Venezuela’s GDP has plummeted by 80%, prompting over seven million of its 30 million citizens to emigrate. He has been accused of jailing critics and harassing the opposition in an increasingly authoritarian climate.
In the lead-up to the election, Maduro warned of a potential “bloodbath” if he lost.
The election was part of an agreement reached last year between the government and the opposition, which led the United States to temporarily ease sanctions imposed after Maduro’s disputed 2018 reelection. However, these sanctions were reinstated after Maduro failed to uphold the agreed-upon conditions.
Despite possessing the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuela’s production capacity has significantly declined in recent years. Most Venezuelans live on just a few dollars a month and face severe shortages of electricity and fuel. The country’s economic hardships have contributed to migration pressure on the United States’ southern border, where immigration remains a major issue in the presidential election.
Muthomi Ireri
