Politics Government opponents in Venezuela demonstrate against Maduro
Following the controversial presidential election in Venezuela, numerous people took to the streets in the capital Caracas to protest against the authoritarian government of head of state Nicolás Maduro. "We have never been as strong as we are now. The regime has never been as weak as it is now. It has lost all legitimacy," said opposition leader María Corina Machado. Many people also demonstrated in other cities in Venezuela as well as in the major US city of Miami, in Bogotá, Colombia, and in Spain's capital Madrid against what they saw as a rigged election last Sunday.
03.08.2024, 20:52
SDA
Supporters of the socialist government took to the streets to support Maduro in his power struggle with the opposition. The electoral authority, which has been loyal to the Socialists since 2013, officially declared him the winner of the election. However, it has not yet published a breakdown of the results for the individual constituencies.
The opposition is accusing the government of electoral fraud and is claiming victory for its candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. According to their own information, the government opponents have the detailed results lists from more than 80 percent of the constituencies. According to this, González is said to have received 67 percent of the votes and Maduro only 30 percent.
According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, at least eleven people have died in the protests so far. According to official figures, over 1,200 people have also been arrested. Maduro accused the opposition of creating chaos together with the USA and planning a coup. "We do not advocate violence, but peaceful protest is not violence," said Machado. "We will not give up our right to civil protest."
