One month before Venezuela election, opposition mobilizes as Nicolas Maduro protects himself

AFP
this Venezuelan opposition Protests this Wednesday, a month before the president’s questionable re-election Nicolas MaduroHe armed his cabinet with a strongman responsible for public order.

Maduro takes power Third term In the presidential election on July 28, the opposition led the six-year Maria Corina Machado Accusing him of fraud and claiming to have evidence that his candidacy Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia He is the winner of the competition.

“No democratic government in the world recognizes Maduro’s fraud (…) Venezuelans voted for change, (the candidate of the largest opposition bloc, Democratic Unity PlatformEdmundo González Urrutia is the president-elect,” the former deputy said before hundreds of supporters gathered in Caracas.

“They said regime He will not yield, you know what: we will make him yield, and yielding means respecting the will expressed on July 28,” Machado said. “This protest is unstoppable,” he insisted.

PEDRO LANCE MARTI/AFP PHOTO

he Chavismo He also called for a mobilization this Wednesday to “celebrate” Maduro’s victory, which the United States, the European Union and several countries in the region are unaware of. Between them Uruguay.

Prosecutors Criminal investigation launched against both menwhile Maduro has called for his imprisonment. He accuses them of violence during post-election protests that left 27 people dead (including two soldiers), nearly 200 injured and more than 2,400 detained.

The day of protests came a day after Maduro appointed an interior minister in charge of police and public order. Diosdado Hairconsidered the number two and a hard-liner of Chavismo.

Cabello took over the post after the late socialist leader ruled for 22 years. Hugo Chavezhe was a comrade in the failed coup attempt in 1992.

Photo: AFP

Maduro renews half of his cabinet, including the strategic oil portfolio, which is now in charge of the vice president Delcy Rodriguezwhich will perform both functions. Vladimir PadrinoHe has served as Minister of National Defense since 2014 and has been confirmed in office.

González Urrutia, 74, a diplomatIgnore Tuesday for the second day in a row A summons was issued to the prosecutor’s office, which is investigating him for alleged “usurpation of office” and “falsification of public documents.”

The crimes theoretically carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

He was also investigated, along with Machado, by a website where the opposition published more than 80% copies of the minutes, which they claimed proved that González won with more than 60% of the votes.

he National Election Commission The CNE announced that Maduro had 52% of the vote but did not release a detailed tabulation-by-tabulation review of the results as required by law. He argued that he was targeted by hackers, but experts and opponents have denied this.

In any case, the Supreme Court confirmed the result. Both organizations serve Chavismo.

this Organization of American States The Organization of American States held a special session on Wednesday, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IAHR) will talk about the situation in Venezuela.

Photo: AFP

Machado’s lawyer was arrested TuesdayPerkins RochaAccording to the opposition, it was taken “by force” by “unidentified” entities.

“We don’t know where he is or how he is,” his son Santiago Rocha told NTN24 channel. “We are worried that anything could happen to him.”

The arrest was part of a list of more than 100 opposition activists detained for working with Machado and González Urrutia during the election cycle.

Six of the opposition’s trusted collaborators, including her campaign manager Magalie Meda, are taking refuge in the Argentine embassy currently run by Brazil.