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Politics

Venezuela on Edge as Maduro’s Regime Tightens Grip Amid Growing Protests

Wednesday 28 August 2024 - 15:55

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As Venezuela marks one month since the contested presidential election, tensions have escalated with the detention of key opposition figures. María Corina Machado, a leading opposition voice, has accused Nicolás Maduro's regime of "kidnapping" her close ally, Perkins Rocha, amid a crackdown that has seen over 1,600 arrests. Rocha, a lawyer and spokesperson for the opposition, was reportedly seized by Maduro’s secret police on the streets of Caracas, signaling an intensification of repression.

Machado, a central figure in the opposition's electoral challenge, expressed her outrage on social media, describing Rocha as "a righteous, brave, intelligent and generous man." She vowed to continue the struggle for Venezuela, despite the regime's attempts to "vanquish, distract, and terrify" its opponents. Machado maintains that the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, won the July 28 election, despite Maduro's unsubstantiated claims of victory. The lack of proof has led even regional allies like Brazil and Colombia to withhold recognition of the official result.

In response to the alleged election fraud, the opposition has called for renewed protests, urging supporters to take to the streets in a bid to force Maduro into a negotiated transition. However, fears are mounting that the president’s recent cabinet reshuffle, particularly the appointment of the hardliner Diosdado Cabello as interior minister, signals a further clampdown on dissent. Cabello, a former soldier and long-time Chavista loyalist, now controls both the national police and intelligence services, raising concerns about increased repression.

Cabello, known for his ruthless approach, has a notorious reputation in Venezuelan politics. He has wielded significant power since the Chávez era, and his influence continues to grow under Maduro. His appointment is seen as a harbinger of tougher times ahead for the opposition, with experts predicting more crackdowns and a potential escalation of state violence.

Adding to the unrest, power outages were reported across Venezuela on Tuesday night, evoking memories of the widespread blackouts in 2019 that plunged the nation into chaos. These outages, coupled with the growing sense of fear among citizens, underscore the precariousness of the current situation.

Despite these challenges, Machado remains defiant. In a message to her supporters, she declared that the end of Maduro’s "regime of horror" is near, expressing her unwavering belief in the eventual liberation of Venezuela.

As the opposition braces for another round of protests, the international community watches closely, with many wondering how long Maduro can maintain his grip on power in the face of growing domestic and international pressure.