Tensions rise over Venezuela presidential poll
Ever since President Nicolás Maduro was proclaimed the winner of the 28 July election, tensions have been escalating in Venezuela, with thousands of citizens taking to the streets across the country to protest against what they regard as a blatantly fraudulent result.
Early on 29 July, the Venezuelan electoral authorities declared Maduro to be the winner with 51.20% of the votes, versus 44,2% for opposition candidate Edmundo González. But María Corina Machado, the main opposition leader, has published evidence that she says proves the president has stolen victory. Maduro asked the high court to audit the results, but observers say the body isn’t independent enough to provide a trustworthy review.
In the days following the election, hundreds of protests have been registered nationwide, including many in the country’s poorest areas, where people have been bearing the brunt of the country’s economic freefall and worsening humanitarian crisis. These have led to clashes with state security forces.
Maduro has relied on his so-called colectivos – armed loyalists – to voluntarily patrol the cities daily on motorbikes and subdue regime opponents.
According to Human Rights Watch, at least 20 people have been killed in the protests, while hundreds more have been injured. On 31 July, Maduro stated that more than 1,200 people had been detained for protesting. Some could face charges of terrorism and be sentenced to up to 30 years of prison.
The international community has called on Maduro to respect the election results and release the tally sheets to prove his victory.
The Carter Center, which had observers on the ground, issued a statement on 30 July, saying they hadn't been able to verify the results and blaming Maduro's government's lack of transparency. “Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic”, the document read.
The European Union and several presidents in the region, including the Chilean leader Gabriel Boric and Gustavo Petro in Colombia, have also questioned the results, while Peru’s foreign affairs minister said they consider González as the president elect. Nine Latin American governments called for an emergency Meeting at the Organisation of American States (OAS) to address Venezuela’s situation, which took place on 31 July.
As of publication, repression continued and uncertainty prevailed about the country's future.
For more, read our report on Venezuelans’ concerns ahead of the elections, and this analysis on the country’s enduring humanitarian crisis.
