Venezuelans worldwide have taken to the streets in support of the opposition’s claim to victory in last month’s disputed presidential election. Demonstrations in cities like Tokyo, Sydney, and Mexico City were organized to make visible what the opposition insists is the real outcome of the election. Protesters called on governments to support opposition candidate Edmundo González and stand with Venezuelans who fear speaking out against President Nicolás Maduro amid brutal repression.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado led a rally in Caracas, urging for the respect of every vote and declaring González as the president-elect. González, who did not attend the demonstration, claimed victory on social media, stating that the opposition had obtained more than 80% of the vote tally sheets.
Thousands of Venezuelans around the world and in Mexico City rallied for freedom and chanted for Maduro to step down. The National Electoral Council, loyal to Maduro’s party, declared him the winner, but has not released detailed voting data to support this claim. Security forces have detained over 2,000 people and 24 have been killed in connection to protests against Maduro’s victory.
The opposition is calling for international support to pressure Maduro to accept the election results. The international community’s involvement is seen as crucial in the face of widespread arrests and repression of dissenters in Venezuela. Brazil and Colombia, previously pressuring Maduro to release vote tallies, are now suggesting a repeat of the election, a move the opposition leader vehemently rejects.
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