Venezuelans Protest Worldwide Against President Maduro’s Third Term Victory
Venezuelans living in Mexico City took to the streets to protest against President Nicolás Maduro being given a third term after last month’s election. The opposition party in Venezuela has called for protests to be held worldwide on 17 August in support of its claim to have won the country’s presidential election.
President Maduro was declared the winner by the government-controlled electoral commission, which handed him a third consecutive term in office. However, the opposition insists that its candidate, Edmundo González, was the real winner and has called for detailed data from polling stations to be released.
The call for protests on 17 August has gained support from the European Union and the US, while other Latin American nations have held off recognizing Mr. Maduro as the winner of the election. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has urged Venezuelans to “take to the streets” worldwide in support of their claim of victory.
The opposition party has published a data set online which it says proves Mr. González won by a wide margin. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that there is “overwhelming evidence” that Edmundo González had won the most votes.
President Maduro has accused the opposition of producing fake evidence and described the situation as a farce and a coup attempt orchestrated by the US. Both Mr. González and Ms. Machado, who have been in hiding, have called for national and worldwide protests in support of “the truth.”
The government has detained thousands of protesters and opposition figures, accusing some of “terrorism.” Members of the security forces have seized prominent opposition figures, including Freddy Superlano, Roland Carreño, and Ricardo Estévez. Last week, Mr. González refused to appear at the country’s Supreme Court for an audit of the disputed vote, stating that he would not risk his freedom or the will of the Venezuelan people.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which is seen as aligned with President Maduro, has stated that it is continuing to assess the election and that its ruling will be “final and binding.” The situation in Venezuela remains tense as protests continue both within the country and around the world in support of the opposition’s claim to victory.
