Thousands protest in Caracas, Venezuela, demanding recognition of the opposition candidate as the rightful winner of last month's presidential election.
Venezuela is witnessing a surge of anti-government protests, with thousands of demonstrators gathering in the capital, Caracas, and other major cities on Saturday night. The protesters are calling for the recognition of opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the legitimate winner of last month's contested presidential election.
In Caracas alone, thousands took to the streets to voice their discontent with the official election results, which declared incumbent President Nicolás Maduro as the victor with 51% of the vote. The protests were further fueled by the absence of detailed results from the National Electoral Council, a body closely aligned with Maduro's government. Opposition leaders have claimed that their own tally, based on 83% of the vote, shows Gonzalez leading with 67%.
One of the key figures in the opposition movement, former deputy María Corina Machado, joined the protests in Caracas. Machado, who had been barred from running in the election due to charges of insurrection, urged the crowds to extend their demonstrations across the country. "Nothing is more powerful than the voice of the people, and they have spoken," she declared, calling for nationwide mobilization.
The protests are the latest in a series of anti-government demonstrations that have gripped Venezuela since the disputed election results were announced on July 29th. In response to the growing unrest, the government has deployed additional police and military forces in Caracas, where a counter-protest by Maduro supporters also took place.
The political turmoil comes at a time of deep economic crisis in Venezuela. Under Maduro's presidency, which began in 2013, the country’s GDP has plummeted by 73%, according to a study by the Caracas-based Institute of Higher Administrative Studies. The economic decline has exacerbated public discontent, leading to widespread protests and the arrest of over 2,400 people since the election results were announced.
Despite the government's efforts to maintain control, the opposition remains resolute in its demand for electoral transparency and the recognition of Gonzalez as the rightful winner. As protests continue to escalate, the future of Venezuela's political landscape hangs in the balance.
Source: Reuters
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