TOI World Desk
Venezuela’s political crisis intensified on Friday as masked assailants raided the headquarters of the opposition party. The raid, which occurred around 3 am, saw goons break down doors, steal documents and equipment, and deface walls with black spray paint, according to opposition leader María Corina Machado‘s party.
This incident follows a series of threats from top officials, including Maduro himself, who has vowed to arrest Machado.Machado, now in hiding, continues to urge Venezuelans and the international community to contest the results of the recent presidential election.
The Biden administration has publicly backed opposition candidate Edmundo González, dismissing the official results declared by Venezuela’s national electoral council. González, chosen as a last-minute stand-in for Machado who was barred from running, was recognised by the US as the legitimate winner of the election. The US announcement came after multiple governments, including some of Maduro’s regional allies, called for the release of precinct-level vote counts, which have traditionally been disclosed.
On Friday, Maduro dismissed international involvement, stating during a news conference that the US should refrain from interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs. González, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, thanked the US for recognising the will of the Venezuelan people and supporting democratic restoration.
Despite the electoral council declaring Maduro the victor, opposition figures revealed they had obtained over 80% of voting tallies from electronic machines, showing González had won by a substantial margin.
“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” said US secretary of state Antony Blinken, according to Associated Press.
Maduro also claimed that opposition members planned an attack in a Caracas neighbourhood, presenting audio and WhatsApp chat evidence as proof. He has ordered increased military presence in the area, which may hinder opposition gatherings, though it is unlikely to affect government rallies planned elsewhere in the city.
On Friday, Venezuelan authorities updated the vote count but did not release the precinct-level results requested by critics. National electoral council president Elvis Amoroso said that with 96.9% of tally sheets counted, Maduro’s margin of victory was over 8 percentage points. He attributed delays in the results to “massive attacks” on the electoral infrastructure.
International diplomatic efforts to address the situation include Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, which have urged for an impartial audit of the vote. Meanwhile, Russian officials have supported Maduro’s victory, accusing the US of exacerbating tensions in Venezuela.
The ongoing turmoil has exacerbated Venezuela’s dire economic conditions, characterised by hyperinflation and severe shortages. The Biden administration is considering reinstating oil sanctions if Maduro fails to agree to a political transition.
On Monday, following the election results, thousands of opposition supporters protested, leading to numerous arrests. The Venezuelan government has since requested an audit of the election results from the highest court, but critics argue that the court’s lack of independence undermines its credibility.
This incident follows a series of threats from top officials, including Maduro himself, who has vowed to arrest Machado.Machado, now in hiding, continues to urge Venezuelans and the international community to contest the results of the recent presidential election.
The Biden administration has publicly backed opposition candidate Edmundo González, dismissing the official results declared by Venezuela’s national electoral council. González, chosen as a last-minute stand-in for Machado who was barred from running, was recognised by the US as the legitimate winner of the election. The US announcement came after multiple governments, including some of Maduro’s regional allies, called for the release of precinct-level vote counts, which have traditionally been disclosed.
On Friday, Maduro dismissed international involvement, stating during a news conference that the US should refrain from interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs. González, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, thanked the US for recognising the will of the Venezuelan people and supporting democratic restoration.
Despite the electoral council declaring Maduro the victor, opposition figures revealed they had obtained over 80% of voting tallies from electronic machines, showing González had won by a substantial margin.
“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” said US secretary of state Antony Blinken, according to Associated Press.
Maduro also claimed that opposition members planned an attack in a Caracas neighbourhood, presenting audio and WhatsApp chat evidence as proof. He has ordered increased military presence in the area, which may hinder opposition gatherings, though it is unlikely to affect government rallies planned elsewhere in the city.
On Friday, Venezuelan authorities updated the vote count but did not release the precinct-level results requested by critics. National electoral council president Elvis Amoroso said that with 96.9% of tally sheets counted, Maduro’s margin of victory was over 8 percentage points. He attributed delays in the results to “massive attacks” on the electoral infrastructure.
International diplomatic efforts to address the situation include Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, which have urged for an impartial audit of the vote. Meanwhile, Russian officials have supported Maduro’s victory, accusing the US of exacerbating tensions in Venezuela.
The ongoing turmoil has exacerbated Venezuela’s dire economic conditions, characterised by hyperinflation and severe shortages. The Biden administration is considering reinstating oil sanctions if Maduro fails to agree to a political transition.
On Monday, following the election results, thousands of opposition supporters protested, leading to numerous arrests. The Venezuelan government has since requested an audit of the election results from the highest court, but critics argue that the court’s lack of independence undermines its credibility.