Fresh protests in Venezuela as anger grows at disputed election result

• Fresh protests in Venezuela as anger grows at disputed election result
• Thousands gathered in the capital to oppose President Nicolas Maduro’s declared victory
• Some protesters believe change will only come if the security forces join their cause
• However, the military and police remain loyal to Maduro, using tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators
• Authorities report around 750 arrests, while NGOs indicate several fatalities and numerous injuries

Fresh protests in Venezuela as anger grows at disputed election result

Fresh protests have erupted in Caracas following the contentious results of Venezuela’s presidential election. Thousands gathered in the capital to oppose President Nicolas Maduro’s declared victory, with many demanding a new government. Some protesters believe change will only come if the security forces join their cause. However, the military and police remain loyal to Maduro, using tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators.

Authorities report around 750 arrests, while NGOs indicate several fatalities and numerous injuries. Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Gen Vladimir Padrino, condemned the protests as an attempted “coup,” expressing the military’s unwavering support for Maduro. The Attorney General, an ally of Maduro, also reported a soldier’s death during the unrest.

Riots and protests in Catia amidst the election results. #VenezuelaVOTA #VenezuelaLibre #VenezuelaElige #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/gpNoPU48HO

— MH Chronicle🌍 (@MHNewsDaily) July 29, 2024

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called for peaceful protests. 

The controversy began when the National Electoral Council (CNE), led by a Maduro ally, declared him re-elected with 51% of the vote, compared to opposition candidate Edmundo González’s 44%. The CNE has not released detailed voting data, prompting allegations of fraud from the opposition and criticism from the Organization of American States (OAS). The opposition coalition claims to have reviewed a significant portion of the votes, saying that González was the true winner by a large margin.