After the presidential elections in Venezuela, many Venezuelans took to the streets to protest the results following the official announcement of Nicolas Maduro’s victory by the National Electoral Council (CNE). It was reported that one person died during the harsh intervention of security forces. Main opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and the joint opposition parties’ candidate Edmondo Gonzalez, at a joint press conference, stated that they have evidence proving their win and called on the people of Venezuela to celebrate their victory on Tuesday.
Venezuelans are reacting to the election results
According to reports in the Venezuelan media, peaceful protests that began in the capital Caracas turned into scuffles due to the intervention of security forces, leading to reactions throughout the country. Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets to protest this situation. Security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters; some protesters threw stones and similar objects at the security forces. As a result, it was reported that one person died in the clashes that ensued.
Machado and Gonzalez said they have evidence proving their victory
In addition, Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in their statement to journalists, said they obtained more than 70% of the tally sheets from the elections. Machado stated that the opposition’s tallies showed a total of 2.75 million votes for Maduro and 6.27 million votes for his rival Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, who claimed to have received twice as many votes as Maduro, said, “I am speaking to you with the calmness of truth. We have categorical and mathematically irrefutable records showing our victory.” Machado and Gonzalez called on the people who staged protests after Maduro’s victory announcement to remain calm and invited them to gather at 11:00 AM on Tuesday to celebrate the results.
Venezuela Violence Observatory: “More than 180 protests were held in 20 of the country’s 23 states”
The civil society organization Venezuela Violence Observatory reported on social media that more than 180 protests were held in 20 of the country’s 23 states, adding, “Numerous acts of repression and violence carried out by paramilitary collectives and security forces have been reported.”
Maduro: “We know how to handle this situation and how to defeat those who favor violence”
On the other hand, United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) deputy and Maduro’s campaign manager Jorge Rodriguez called on party supporters to join marches to the Miraflores presidential palace in support of the government. Gonzalez, however, described Rodriguez’s call as “inciting violence against the opposition.”
In his speech on Monday, Maduro notably stated that his government “knows how to handle this situation and how to overcome those who advocate violence,” while also emphasizing that he “supports peace.”
The US and the European Union called for the votes to be counted based on the “principle of transparency”
Countries in the US and the European Union called for the votes in the Venezuelan elections to be fully counted and officially announced based on the “principle of transparency,” while it was reported that 12 member countries of the Organization of American States would meet on Wednesday to discuss the elections.
