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Protests erupt in Venezuela after Maduro’s re-election
Thousands of people flooded the streets of the capital, Caracas, chanting “Freedom, freedom!” and “This government is going to fall!” The opposition has questioned the official results announced by the electoral commission, a doubt backed up by several countries around the world.
“We’re fed up. We want a change,” said Leydis Mojares, 33, one of the marchers. “We want a better life for our children. Maduro isn’t our president any more. The result last night was such a disappointment . . . I cried, I screamed. I saw my daughter, who is 13, crying. I said to her, ‘How long is this going to go on for?’”
Regardless, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has certified Maduro’s re-election for a third six-year term until 2031.
At least two statues of Hugo Chavez, the late socialist icon who led Venezuela for more than a decade and handpicked Maduro as his successor, were knocked down by protesters around the country.
The National Guard fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters, many wearing motorbike helmets and bandannas tied over their faces for protection. Some responded by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails.
Maduro has dismissed doubts about the result, claiming Venezuela was the target of an attempted “coup d’etat” of a “fascist and counter-revolutionary” nature. Venezuela also said it was withdrawing its diplomatic staff from seven Latin American countries that questioned the victory of Maduro.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said it rejected the “interventionist actions and statements” of the governments of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Dominican Republic and Uruguay, which signed a joint statement asking for a complete review of the election results.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told reporters that a review of voting records available so far clearly showed that the next president “will be Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia,” who took her place on the ballot after she was barred by Maduro-aligned courts.
Venezuela’s close allies Russia, China, Iran and Cuba hailed his victory while the US, the EU and the UK demanded to see a detailed breakdown of voting. Regional power Brazil is attempting to mediate between Maduro and the opposition.