Politics Venezuela's opposition increases pressure - military backs Maduro
Following the controversial presidential election in Venezuela, the opposition continues to fight for a change of power and a withdrawal of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. He can still count on the support of the military, which has pledged its loyalty to him. Thousands of government opponents took to the streets in the capital Caracas on Tuesday (local time) to protest against what they see as the manipulated official election results, which show the head of state, who has been in power since 2013, as the winner.
31.07.2024, 16:51
SDA
The demonstrators chanted "We are not afraid" and cheered on their presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. According to non-governmental organizations, at least eleven demonstrators have died in the protests across the country so far. According to official figures, hundreds have been arrested.
Meanwhile, the armed forces, which are an important power factor in the South American country, assured Maduro of their support. "We reaffirm our absolute loyalty and unconditional support for the citizen Nicolás Maduro Moro, the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, our commander-in-chief (...)", said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López. If necessary, the military would take "powerful" action to maintain order in the country.
Opposition leader: election result not negotiable
"We are dealing with a coup d'état that was instigated by the fascist forces of the extreme right with the support of the imperial forces, US imperialism," Padrino continued. "We will thwart this coup d'état." Maduro has already been able to rely on the military in previous protests.
In Caracas, opposition leader María Corina Machado called out to her supporters that the true result of the election was clear and non-negotiable. "The only thing we are prepared to negotiate is a peaceful transfer of power." According to the opposition, it has access to over 80 percent of the detailed election results from the individual constituencies, which the National Electoral Council has not yet published. According to the results, González is expected to receive 67 percent of the vote and Maduro 30 percent.
After the presidential election on Sunday, the electoral authority loyal to the government officially declared Maduro the winner. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud. The USA, the EU and a number of Latin American countries are also questioning the official election results. The Organization of American States does not recognize Maduro's re-election and scheduled an emergency meeting of the Permanent Council on the situation in Venezuela for Wednesday.
Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with Peru after the South American country recognized the opposition candidate González as the winner of the election.
The Carter Center's election observers gave Venezuela a damning report. "The presidential election did not meet international standards and cannot be considered democratic," said the non-governmental organization in a statement.
At least eleven demonstrators killed
According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, at least eleven demonstrators, including two young people, have died in protests against the election results. According to the public prosecutor's office, one police officer was also killed.
Across the country, 749 demonstrators have been arrested, said Attorney General Tarek William Saab. Among other things, they had attacked police stations, electoral offices, town halls and hospitals. They are accused of terrorism, incitement to hatred and blocking public roads.
In view of the security forces' crackdown on demonstrators following the controversial presidential election in Venezuela, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for an end to the repression. "The government in Venezuela should end the arrests, repression and violent rhetoric against the opposition," wrote the European Union's chief diplomat on X. "The authorities and security forces must guarantee respect for human rights."
Venezuela has been in a serious political and economic crisis for years. In the once prosperous country with large oil reserves, more than 80 percent of the population live below the poverty line. There are repeated power cuts, and petrol, gas and medicines are in short supply. More than seven million people - a quarter of the population - have left Venezuela in the past ten years due to poverty and violence.
