Venezuelans Face Off with Police Over Election Fallout(Video)
Security forces in Venezuela have used tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators protesting the outcome of Sunday’s contested election.
On Monday evening, thousands of people gathered in central Caracas, with some traveling long distances from the city’s surrounding slums to the presidential palace.
The protests in Caracas began the day after President Nicolás Maduro declared himself the winner of the election.
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The opposition has challenged Maduro’s victory, labeling it fraudulent. They argue that an analysis of 73.2% of the vote counts clearly shows their candidate, Edmundo González, as the true winner.
Pre-election opinion polls had predicted a decisive win for González.
In response to widespread dissatisfaction with the economic crisis, opposition parties had united behind González to try to remove President Maduro, who has been in office for 11 years.
A significant presence of military and police was seen on the streets of Caracas, aiming to disperse the crowds and prevent them from reaching the presidential palace.
Protesters shouted “freedom, freedom!” and demanded the fall of the government.
Video footage captured burning tyres on roads and large crowds on the streets, with police on motorbikes deploying tear gas.
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In some areas, posters of President Maduro were torn down and set on fire, along with tires, cars, and other debris.
Clashes occurred between armed police, military forces, and pro-government left-wing paramilitaries and protesters, leading to roadblocks around the city center.
The Venezuelan government also announced a temporary halt on commercial flights to and from Panama and the Dominican Republic, starting at 20:00 local time on Wednesday.
In a state television address, Maduro stated that it is his “duty to speak the truth,” urging calm and resilience among citizens as they face these challenges.
The BBC spoke with several protesters from La Lucha, a densely populated area. Paola Sarzalejo, 41, criticized the election as fraudulent, asserting that their candidate had won by 70% but that the results had been manipulated.
Her father Miguel, 64, supported this view, emphasizing the need for a better future for the youth to prevent them from leaving the country.
Cristobal Martinez, wrapped in a Venezuelan flag, expressed his belief that the election was fraudulent. He noted the significance of the election for young people, many of whom are unemployed or not studying.
Martinez described his participation in the election and the widespread discontent towards the government, highlighting the lack of change since President Chavez’s death and criticizing government supporters for benefiting from bonuses and handouts.
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Martinez also called for international assistance to avoid a repeat of past disasters.
Maduro has accused the opposition of attempting a coup by disputing the results, labeling it an attempt to impose a “fascist and counter-revolutionary” coup.
The Venezuelan attorney general warned that illegal actions during protests, such as road blockages, would be met with severe legal consequences. He reported 32 detentions for actions including damaging electoral materials and inciting violence.
Several Western and Latin American countries, along with international organizations like the UN, have urged Venezuelan authorities to release detailed voting records from individual polling stations.
Argentina has refused to recognize Maduro’s victory, leading Venezuela to recall its diplomats from Buenos Aires. Diplomats from six other Latin American nations—Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay—have also been withdrawn due to what Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil described as “interventionist actions and statements.”
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In response to the announced results, US senior administration officials expressed concerns that the results may not align with data from quick counts and other sources. They have called for the release of underlying data supporting the official results.
The US has not yet clarified how these developments might affect its sanctions policy towards Venezuela. Officials noted that while they have reservations about the results, Maduro did hold an election and allowed an opposition candidate to run, despite the ban on the opposition leader.
The Organization of American States (OAS) has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to discuss the Venezuelan election results.
Venezuelans Face Off with Police Over Election Fallout(Video)
