Current Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner in the highly controversial election on Monday (July 29), sparking protests across Venezuela against alleged electoral fraud. At least 16 people have died in the clashes, with over 700 individuals arrested.
According to reports from human rights non-governmental organization Foro Penal and hospital investigations, at least 16 people have lost their lives since Sunday’s voting in nationwide conflicts. The country’s Ministry of Defense reported that the deceased include a police officer.
The Venezuelan Conflict Observatory stated that as of Monday night, the organization had documented 187 protest activities in 20 states, with “mass repression and violence” carried out by paramilitary groups and security forces.
Maduro has ordered military and police patrols nationwide starting from Wednesday (July 31). Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab stated on Tuesday that 749 individuals have been detained nationwide, warning that the number of arrests will continue to rise.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino announced military support for Maduro, condemning the protest activities. He said on national television, “A coup is in progress, so President Nicolás Maduro is once again intensifying efforts to prevent the coup.”
On Wednesday (July 31), Venezuelan authorities arrested the security chief of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Milciades Ávila.
Machado wrote on X platform, “Ávila has accompanied me throughout the country, risking his life to protect me. I send a warning to the world that Maduro’s repression of our campaign staff is becoming increasingly severe.”
Machado stated that in recent days, at least eight individuals associated with opposition activities have been detained in four states nationwide, including the owner of a sound truck hired during a rally in the central city of Valencia.
Following the election in Venezuela on Sunday (July 28), Maduro declared victory shortly after midnight. The electoral commission he controls announced Maduro won with 51% of the vote, securing a third six-year term.
However, opposition parties and independent polling organizations disputed the election results. Independent exit polls showed 65% of voters supported González, with 14% to 31% backing Maduro.
Opposition candidate Edmundo González and Machado immediately announced that their campaign teams had evidence proving the party received 73.2% of the vote, claiming an “irreversible victory” in this election.
Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay, skeptical of Maduro’s victory, signed a joint statement calling for a thorough review of the Venezuelan election results. The United States also urged authorities to recount all votes.
The White House stated in a press release on Tuesday (July 30) that President Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva agreed during a call that the Venezuelan election authorities need to immediately release complete, transparent, and detailed voting data from the polling stations.
Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre stated on Tuesday (July 30) that Central American governments are prepared to grant political asylum or refuge status to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
Andre said in a video message, “We have been informed (the Venezuelan government has issued) restraining orders for Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez.”
He mentioned that they are ready to provide political asylum and refuge to them, as well as “to all other individuals persecuted politically in Venezuela, especially those who have sought refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas.”
After the Venezuelan authorities issued the arrest warrants, six members of the opposition campaign team have sought refuge in the Argentinian embassy.
An opposition advisor said on Tuesday (July 30) that security forces had attempted twice to enter the Argentine embassy in Caracas but failed both times.
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves refused to accept the election results declaring Maduro’s victory, calling it “fraud.”
Chaves stated on X platform, “The Costa Rican government firmly refuses to declare Nicolás Maduro as the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as we believe this is fraudulent.”
On Wednesday (July 31), Machado expressed gratitude on X platform for Costa Rica’s invitation of asylum, saying, “I thank the Costa Rican government for their generous hospitality toward citizens defending the results of the presidential election on July 28 against Maduro’s regime’s brutal repression.”
She emphasized, “Our priority is to protect our comrades seeking refuge in the Argentine embassy. My responsibility is to continue this fight alongside the people. From Venezuela, thank you dear people and government of Costa Rica.”