Tensions escalated in Venezuela as security forces clashed with protesters in response to disputed election results announced by President Nicolás Maduro.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Caracas, marching from surrounding slums towards the presidential palace, voicing opposition to Maduro’s victory claim.
The opposition, led by candidate Edmundo González, has denounced Maduro’s declaration as fraudulent. It asserts González’s victory with 73.2% of the vote based on pre-election opinion polls favouring a clear challenger win.
The election took place amid widespread discontent over Venezuela’s prolonged economic crisis.
In response to international calls from Western and Latin American nations and the United Nations urging transparency, Maduro’s government has faced diplomatic repercussions. Several countries, including Argentina, have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory, prompting Venezuela to recall diplomats from Buenos Aires.
Diplomatic ties with Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay were also strained.
The government’s decision to suspend commercial flights with Panama and the Dominican Republic further underscored the heightened tensions. Meanwhile, Caracas witnessed a heavy deployment of military and police forces, deploying tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters and prevent access to the presidential palace.
Protesters, chanting “Freedom, freedom!” and demanding governmental change, engaged in acts of civil disobedience such as burning tyres and tearing down posters of Maduro. Amid the unrest, arrests were made under charges of electoral material destruction and incitement of violence.
International observers, including the Organization of American States (OAS), have scheduled meetings to address concerns over the election’s legitimacy. Meanwhile, US officials expressed scepticism towards the announced results, calling for transparency and urging Venezuelan electoral authorities to release detailed voting data.
As tensions escalate, Venezuela braces for further international scrutiny and potential diplomatic consequences while grappling with internal unrest over the disputed election outcome.
