Venezuela’s Opposition Marks Two Months Since Disputed Election

Small groups of opposition supporters gathered in Venezuela and across several cities abroad on Saturday, marking two months since the country’s contentious election, which President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have won. The disputed vote has sparked ongoing political tensions and protests, with opposition leader María Corina Machado continuing to contest the results.

Machado, currently in hiding after denouncing the election as fraudulent, encouraged smaller, localized demonstrations to avoid the heavy security crackdowns witnessed at previous protests. In Caracas, about 30 demonstrators, including the well-known activist Leida Brito, also known as the “Red Helmet Grandmother,” gathered at a local plaza to voice their discontent.

“Nicolas Maduro should leave because he lost,” Brito declared, holding a sign that read, “To defend the vote is a right.”

“The freedom of Venezuela is in danger,” added Hidalgo Valero, a retired military colonel. “Today, our people are afraid to be in the streets because of the tremendous repression.”

In a voice note shared by her team, Machado rallied her supporters: “We stand firm, moving forward every day with more strength and enthusiasm, as the brave and good people of Venezuela.”

The opposition claims that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won the July 28 election with 67% of the vote, according to their tally of polling station-level results. However, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), controlled by pro-government officials, declared Maduro the winner with 52%, though the CNE has yet to release the full voting data required by law.

Since the election, dozens of opposition leaders have been detained, along with over 2,400 Venezuelans accused of participating in protests or “terrorism.” Post-election clashes have resulted in the deaths of 27 individuals.

González Urrutia, a 75-year-old retired diplomat, recently fled Venezuela and sought asylum in Spain after weeks in hiding. Larger protests also erupted in cities outside Venezuela, including Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Panama City, and Montevideo. In Madrid, González Urrutia addressed supporters waving Venezuelan flags in solidarity.

In contrast, hundreds of Maduro’s supporters took to the streets of Caracas to celebrate the president’s claimed victory. Maduro, addressing the crowd, mocked opposition leader Machado, saying, “The supposed queen bee is beginning to pack her Gucci suitcases… she is preparing to leave too.”

International pressure has mounted in recent weeks, with 30 countries, led by the United States and Argentina, urging Maduro to engage in dialogue with the opposition. In a joint statement, they called for “constructive and inclusive discussions” toward a democratic transition and the immediate release of those detained during the election’s aftermath.

Key Points:

1. Two-Month Anniversary of Disputed Election: Opposition protests in Venezuela and abroad mark two months since the controversial election, which President Nicolás Maduro claims to have won.
2. Opposition Leader in Hiding: María Corina Machado, a key opposition figure, remains in hiding after denouncing the election as fraudulent. She called for smaller protests to avoid government crackdowns.
3. Claims of Election Fraud: The opposition asserts their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won the July 28 election with 67% of the vote, while the government claims Maduro won with 52%.
4. Repression and Arrests: Post-election unrest has led to the arrests of dozens of opposition leaders and over 2,400 Venezuelans accused of participating in protests. Twenty-seven people were killed in clashes.
5. Protests in Venezuela and Abroad: Small protests occurred in Caracas and larger demonstrations took place in cities like Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Madrid, where González Urrutia greeted supporters.
6. International Response: A coalition of 30 countries, including the U.S. and Argentina, has called for dialogue between Maduro and the opposition and urged the release of those detained after the election.
7. Maduro’s Supporters Rally: Hundreds of Maduro supporters marched in Caracas, celebrating his claimed victory and mocking the opposition.