Venezuelan opposition leader’s lawyer detained

• Venezuelan opposition leader’s lawyer detained
• He was seized by unidentified men and his whereabouts are unknown
• It’s the latest arrest targeting opposition figures since last month’s disputed election
• Venezuelan opposition coalition is calling for renewed protests

Venezuelan opposition leader’s lawyer detained

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s lawyer, Perkins Rocha, has been detained, marking the latest in a series of arrests targeting opposition figures since last month’s disputed presidential election. Rocha, who also serves as a legal adviser for the Vente Venezuela party, was reportedly seized by unidentified men, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

President Nicolás Maduro’s government has detained over 2,400 people in the past month, which the UN describes as creating “a climate of fear.” Human rights group Provea warns that political persecution has intensified since July 29, when the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the winner of a third consecutive term, despite not providing detailed polling station tallies.

The opposition disputes the CNE’s results, claiming their candidate, Edmundo González, actually won with 67% of the vote, based on their own tally copies. Reviews by the Washington Post and Associated Press of a large sample of these tallies also support the opposition’s claim. However, the Supreme Court, filled with Maduro loyalists, upheld the CNE’s decision.

The UN Human Rights Council has criticised the court’s lack of impartiality and independence. In response, the Venezuelan opposition coalition is calling for renewed protests to demand the publication of the voting tallies.