Venezuela: Thousands of Venezuelans are protesting after the presidential election

NAfter a disputed presidential election in the crisis-ridden state of Venezuela, crowds of people protested against the official results in the capital Caracas and other cities. They took to the streets and smashed pots and pans against each other, the newspaper said.National“The so-called Casarolazo is the most popular form of protest in Latin America, seen in many videos posted on social media.

But there were also protests, with sometimes violent clashes, between demonstrators and security forces. On TV you can see police officers using tear gas and beating people from time to time. El Nacional newspaper reported and was seen in a video that demonstrators marching on the presidential palace in the capital Caracas were also fired upon.

The shooters may be called colectivos — pro-government paramilitary groups that use violence to implement the government’s agenda. The video shows how the police officers do not intervene to stop the attack on the demonstrators.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) officially declared incumbent Maduro as the winner of the election. This means the left-wing head of state could begin his third six-year term in January 2025. Maduro won 51.2 percent of Sunday’s vote, according to official data. Opposition candidate Edmondo González Urrutia won 44.2 percent of the vote.

The opposition did not recognize the official result and claimed victory for its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia. He accused the government of electoral fraud. Opposition leader María Corina Machado said her camp registered 73.2 percent of Sunday’s vote.

At the same time, security forces tried to break into the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where six opposition members are staying, his staff said. “At this moment, the security forces are trying to besiege the house of the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, where six asylum seekers from the Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez campaign are located,” wrote Pedro Uruchurtu, one of the six opposition activists. News Service X. Employees sought refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas in March to avoid arrest on alleged conspiracy charges.

The US government and many Latin American countries expressed skepticism about the official election results. Ahead of Sunday’s election, many opinion polls had predicted a victory for the opposition. However, even before the referendum, observers did not feel that the election would be free and fair.

The European Union criticizes the election and demands consequences

The European Union has strongly criticized the presidential election. “Reliable reports from domestic and international observers indicate that the elections were marred by numerous irregularities and irregularities,” said EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell. Barriers to the participation of opposition candidates, deficiencies in voter registration, and unequal access to the media contributed to unequal electoral conditions.

Regarding the CNE’s declaration of Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the current election, Borrell said: “The election results have not been verified and cannot be considered representative of the will of the Venezuelan people until all official records from the polls are published and verified.”

The EU calls on the Electoral Council to immediately authorize the publication of the electoral documents of each polling station and the itemized results. Also, the authorities should thoroughly investigate all complaints and grievances submitted after the election.

Venezuela is recalling diplomats from several countries

Venezuela has announced the withdrawal of all its diplomatic staff from several Latin American countries due to criticism of the presidential election. Venezuela strongly rejects “interference and statements by a group of right-wing governments,” Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Juan Gil said at Platform X.

Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Dominican Republic and Uruguay. These often called for an emergency meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) before reaching a resolution. Venezuela also demands that these governments immediately withdraw their representatives from Venezuelan territory.

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Chilean President Gabriel Boric said the result was hard to believe. After the National Electoral Council declared Maduro’s victory, opposition parties also claimed victory. González said the Venezuelan people and the whole world know what happened.

Arrest warrant against opposition workers

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Gil did not say what would happen to his staff, including the management of opposition leader María Corina Machado’s campaign team. They sought refuge at the Argentine embassy in Caracas after Venezuelan authorities issued arrest warrants against them.