Venezuela was plunged into turmoil on Tuesday following the death of four people and injuries to dozens during violent protests against President Nicolas Maduro’s declared victory in a hotly contested election. The protests, which erupted on Monday, saw security forces firing tear gas and rubber bullets at angry crowds challenging the official results, which the opposition and several neighboring countries have denounced as fraudulent.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Caracas, the capital, chanting slogans like “Freedom, freedom!” and “This government is going to fall!” Some demonstrators vandalized Maduro campaign posters and toppled statues of Hugo Chavez, the late socialist leader who handpicked Maduro as his successor. The National Hospital Survey, a network monitoring crises in Venezuelan hospitals, reported 44 injured, while the NGO Foro Penal confirmed an additional fatality in the northwestern state of Yaracuy.
Amid mounting fears of violence, Freddy Superlano, a prominent figure in the opposition coalition, was allegedly “kidnapped” by government officials, according to his Voluntad Popular party. The election, held amid widespread accusations of government intimidation and election fraud, saw Maduro secure a six-year term, extending his rule until 2031. The National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the winner with 51.2 percent of the vote, compared to 44.2 percent for Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
However, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado asserted that a review of available voting records indicated a “mathematically irreversible” victory for Gonzalez Urrutia, who replaced Machado on the ballot after she was barred from running by Maduro’s courts. Machado claimed that Gonzalez Urrutia secured 6.27 million votes, surpassing Maduro’s 2.75 million.
The Organization of American States (OAS), a regional body, condemned the election as “exceptionally manipulated,” further fueling the international outcry against Maduro’s claim of victory. Machado called for peaceful nationwide “popular assemblies” to demonstrate support for a peaceful transition of power, while Maduro’s campaign manager Jorge Rodriguez urged supporters to participate in “large marches” celebrating the victory.
In Caracas, AFP reporters witnessed national guard members deploying tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters, some of whom responded by throwing rocks. Protests were reported even in areas traditionally considered strongholds of support for Maduro. The United Nations, United States, European Union, and several Latin American countries called for a transparent electoral process, while Maduro received congratulations from allies such as China, Russia, and Cuba. Nine Latin American nations issued a joint statement demanding a “complete review” of the election results with independent observers present.
Chile’s president expressed skepticism about the outcome, stating that it was “hard to believe.” Amid the escalating tensions, Peru recalled its ambassador, and Panama severed diplomatic relations with Venezuela. In response, Caracas withdrew its diplomatic staff from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay.
The election, a product of an agreement reached last year between the government and opposition, was meant to alleviate tensions and potentially lead to the easing of US sanctions imposed after Maduro’s controversial 2018 reelection. However, the latest unrest highlights the deep polarization and fragility of the situation in Venezuela. Despite boasting the world’s largest oil reserves, the once-wealthy nation has been crippled by economic mismanagement and US sanctions, resulting in a steep decline in GDP and a mass exodus of citizens. The country’s future remains uncertain as the political crisis deepens.
