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Venezuelan Opposition Calls for Global Protests Amid Contested Election Results
In a dramatic escalation of Venezuela's political crisis, the country's opposition coalition has called for worldwide protests on August 17, challenging the official results of the recent presidential election. The controversial poll, which declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner for a third consecutive term, has sparked intense debate and international scrutiny.
The opposition asserts that their candidate, Edmundo González, is the true victor. They are demanding that the government-controlled electoral commission release detailed data from polling stations to substantiate their claim. This appeal for transparency has gained international traction, with both the European Union and the United States expressing support for the opposition's stance. Several Latin American nations have also refrained from recognizing Maduro's victory, further complicating the political landscape.
Opposition figurehead María Corina Machado has taken to social media to rally supporters, urging Venezuelans worldwide to "take to the streets" on the designated protest date. "Let's shout together for the world to support our victory and recognize truth and popular sovereignty," Machado proclaimed on Sunday. The opposition has bolstered its case by publishing an online dataset, which they assert proves González's win by a substantial margin.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has lent weight to the opposition's claims, stating there is "overwhelming evidence" that González secured the most votes. However, the Maduro administration remains steadfast, insisting that the results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE)—an entity widely perceived as aligned with the government—are the only legitimate ones.
Maduro has promised to release vote tallies but has not specified a timeline. He has accused the opposition of fabricating evidence to contest the election results and alleged U.S. involvement in what he terms a "farce" and a "coup attempt."
Both González and Machado have gone into hiding, with the latter expressing fears for her "life" and "freedom" in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. The government has called for Machado's arrest, intensifying the already fraught political atmosphere.
Since the disputed election results were announced, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Venezuela and across Latin America. The government reports over 2,000 detentions, with some individuals accused of "terrorism." Several opposition figures have been apprehended in recent weeks, including María Oropeza, a campaign coordinator for the opposition coalition Vente Venezuela, who live-streamed her dramatic detention on Instagram.
Other notable detentions include Freddy Superlano and Roland Carreño from the Popular Will opposition party, and Ricardo Estévez, a technical adviser for Oropeza's opposition movement. González himself declined to appear at the country's Supreme Court for an audit of the disputed vote, citing risks to his freedom and "the will of the Venezuelan people."
Venezuela's Supreme Court, widely seen as aligned with President Maduro, announced on Saturday that it continues to assess the election, promising a "final and binding" ruling. This ongoing legal process adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
As tensions continue to mount, the international community watches closely. The planned global protests on August 17 may prove to be a critical juncture in Venezuela's political crisis, potentially shaping the country's future and its relationships on the world stage.