Venezuelan Opposition Rallies Worldwide to Demand Election Truth Amid Maduro's Repression
Thousands of Venezuelan opponents gathered this Saturday in major cities across the country and in over 350 cities globally to contest the results of the July 28 presidential elections. The foremost opposition coalition claims that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, was the actual victor, despite official results declaring incumbent president Nicolás Maduro as the winner.
In Caracas, demonstrators arrived early, armed with national flags, banners, and copies of voting records, as urged by opposition leader María Corina Machado via social media. Machado, who had been in hiding for two weeks due to fears for her safety, publicly joined the protests, rallying families to continue the peaceful demonstration.
The popular campaign truck became a platform for Machado, alongside other opposition figures like Delsa Solórzano and César Pérez Vivas, as they sought to sustain momentum against the regime. The voting record copies have turned into a potent symbol for the coalition, representing a collection of 835 documents that they claim affirm González Urrutia's electoral success.
Internationally, supporters mobilized across continents, displaying placards that demanded the release of political prisoners, including journalist Gabriel González, a two-month detainee who is part of the Vente Venezuela party’s communications team.
In Spain, the most significant demonstration occurred in Madrid, where gatherings were also reported in 40 other cities. The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, addressed supporters gathered at Puerta del Sol, emphasizing Spain's moral and historical obligation to assist Venezuela. "We are here today defending freedom, life, and democracy in Venezuela. Spain must take the lead in this task," she declared, criticizing the actions of Nicolas Maduro's regime while demanding internal solidarity from Spanish leaders.
Ayuso also condemned former Spanish president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for his support of Maduro's government, asserting that he had much to hide regarding business interests in Venezuela. She expressed shame over the lack of more robust action from the Spanish government in support of the Venezuelan cause.
Meanwhile, González Urrutia called upon Venezuelans abroad to amplify their voices, denouncing the regime's efforts to silence critics through persecution and violence. He asserted, "We have the votes, we have the records, and we have shown the world that we won. We are dedicated to restoring a Venezuela characterized by progress and well-being."
As the opposition rallied, the Chavista faction also held a march celebrating what they claim to be a victory for the Bolivarian revolution, despite widespread skepticism from foreign governments and electoral oversight bodies.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Spain, along with the US and several other nations, issued a joint statement urging Maduro to cease violence and publish the electoral records, highlighting the international community's concern over the situation in Venezuela.
The polarizing atmosphere reveals deep divisions within the country, as both sides prepare to navigate this critical moment in Venezuela's political history.
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