Protests have erupted across Venezuela as both sides of the political spectrum clash, with opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez claiming he possesses proof of his victory.
“The Venezuelan people have clearly expressed their will through their votes, yet the morally corrupt dictatorship remains impervious to their pleas,” stated Isaias Medina III, a former Venezuelan diplomat on the United Nations Security Council and Harvard fellow, in an interview with Digital.
“The regime has not only falsified the results but has also initiated the persecution of the courageous leaders who ignited the flame of freedom,” Medina asserted. “In a remarkable display of unity and defiance, spontaneous marches are flooding the streets, as citizens fervently demand liberty and the opportunity to rebuild a nation where families can reunite in prosperity.”
“The international community must intensify its pressure on this tyrannical regime and stand in solidarity with the righteous people of Venezuela,” Medina insisted. “Global leaders must unite in condemning these injustices and support Venezuela’s pursuit of freedom and democracy.”
“The time has come for decisive action to ensure the voices of the oppressed are heard and the light of justice prevails once more,” he added.
Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Monday asserted that they had obtained over 70% of the tally sheets to reveal the district-by-district results, which allegedly demonstrate that Gonzalez garnered double the votes compared to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of Sunday’s election despite allegedly leaked polling (which is illegal in Venezuela) indicating overwhelming support for the opposition over Maduro and his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Maduro initially assumed office in 2013, but many within and outside the country have alleged from the outset that PSUV has engaged in electoral fraud, leading opposition parties to boycott the 2018 election before deciding to unite behind Gonzalez in the most recent contest.
The council announced that Maduro secured 51% of the vote compared to the opposition’s 44%, prompting immediate condemnation from regional leaders. Argentinian President Javier Milei labeled the victory an “electoral scam” and referred to Maduro as a “fraud.” Chilean President Gabriel Boric described the results as “hard to believe” and refused to recognize them.
“The international community, and particularly the Venezuelan people, including the millions of Venezuelans in exile, demand complete transparency,” Boric stated following the election decision, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa denounced Maduro’s government as a dictatorship, declaring, “Today we are witnessing how another one of them attempts to steal their homeland from millions of Venezuelans.”
Venezuela has responded to the widespread criticism by severing ties with countries that have requested an independent recount of the election, including Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Several Latin American countries are planning to convene an emergency meeting of the regional bloc to address the issue, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
U.S. officials indicated that the Biden administration harbours “serious concerns” regarding the election results and insisted that they do not “reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.”
Panama went a step further and suspended diplomatic ties with Venezuela until an independent review of the election results and voting computers is conducted. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele contended that the “official result bears no resemblance to reality.”
Venezuelans have not remained silent, taking to the streets to protest what they universally perceive as a rigged election. The protests commenced peacefully, but riot gear-equipped police escalated the situation, leading to violence from both the protesters and law enforcement.
Protesters hurled objects, including stones, at the police, while police deployed tear gas on the crowds in an attempt to disperse them.
Maduro dismissed the backlash to his victory as an “attempt… to impose a coup d’etat in Venezuela,” adding that “we are familiar with this scenario, and this time, there will be no weakness,” Maduro asserted, emphasizing that Venezuela’s “law will be respected.”