About 750 Protesters Including Opposition Figures Arrested in Line
Maduro: "Clear Coup, Will Hold Responsible"
As allegations of election fraud have emerged over the Venezuelan presidential election vote count, conflicts between the government and protesters have escalated to extremes. Under strong responses from the military and police, not only have opposition figures and protesters been arrested one after another, but fatalities have also been reported.
On the 30th (local time), according to AP News and others, Tarek William Saab, Venezuela's Attorney General, announced that 749 protesters were detained, one police officer died, and 48 were injured. He added that some of those arrested would be charged with terrorism. In particular, a video showing Freddy Superlano, a key opposition policy advisor, being captured by police was posted on social media.
On the same day, the human rights organization Foro Penal stated in a press conference broadcasted via social media, "It has been confirmed that 11 people died in protests related to the Venezuelan presidential election," adding, "Among them are minors aged 15 to 16."
The current anti-government protests originated from the Venezuelan presidential election held on the 28th. At that time, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) announced that President Nicol?s Maduro won a third term with 5.1 million votes, defeating opposition candidate Edmundo Gonz?lez Urrutia, who received 4.4 million votes. However, the opposition coalition raised suspicions of election fraud and rejected the results. Opposition leader Mar?a Corina Machado claimed, based on their own investigation, that candidate Urrutia secured about 6.2 million votes, far surpassing President Maduro's 2.7 million votes.
On the same day, Machado appeared on the streets of Caracas with candidate Urrutia, encouraging supporters by saying, "The target we are fighting here is the regime's fraud," and "We all know that Urrutia won." However, she urged peaceful protests, stating, "We must not fall for the government's provocations." Foreign media reported that while the protests initially were peaceful, clashes broke out with police blocking the march, escalating into violent scenes with Molotov cocktails and tear gas flying around.
President Maduro warned during a Defense Council meeting broadcast on TV, "We will hold Urrutia and Machado responsible for all crimes, violence, deaths, and destruction occurring in Venezuela." Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino emphasized, "A coup is underway," adding, "President Maduro has stepped up to stop it, and the people who elected him, all institutions, and the military stand with him." He further stated, "This coup is supported by imperialist followers, including the United States."
The White House issued a statement that day saying, "U.S. President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva agreed that complete, transparent, and detailed voting data must be released immediately." According to the White House press release, the two leaders agreed during a phone call that the Venezuelan election results represent a critical moment for democracy in South America and pledged close cooperation. Additionally, leaders from Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, and Argentina have expressed that they cannot recognize Maduro's victory unless the election results are transparently disclosed.
The Venezuelan presidential election has drawn attention as to whether the opposition coalition can break the 25-year leftist dictatorship that has continued since former President Ch?vez and reclaim power. Western media had previously predicted the victory of opposition candidate Urrutia based on the economic collapse caused by severe inflation during Maduro's rule and deteriorating diplomatic relations due to anti-American sentiments. Exit polls also showed Urrutia leading with 65% of the vote compared to Maduro's 31%, but the official announcement by the electoral commission showed the opposite result, fueling suspicions of election fraud.
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