Caracas Resounds with Protests Over Venezuela’s Contested Election Outcome

Residents of Caracas have been banging pots and pans in protest against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s claimed victory in the disputed election. Demonstrators are marching to the presidential palace, Miraflores, from various parts of the city, including its slums. In the rain, some protestors chanted “Afuera” (Out) and “Libertad” (Freedom) while others shared images on social media with captions like “knock down the dictator” and “everyone to Miraflores.”

Scenes showed burning tires on highways and large crowds on foot and bicycles. The opposition disputes Maduro’s victory, asserting that their candidate, Edmundo González, won decisively with 70% of the vote. The ANC, backed by Western and Latin American countries, as well as international bodies like the UN, has called for the release of voting records.

Paola Sarzalejo and her father Miguel, along with other protesters, expressed their belief that the election was fraudulent, criticizing the current regime’s handling of the country’s resources and future. Young people, like Cristobal Martinez, expressed their frustrations with unemployment and lack of opportunities, citing this election as crucial for change.

Maduro has accused the opposition of attempting to instigate a coup by contesting the results, while the attorney general has warned of strict legal consequences for protestors. U.S. officials have raised concerns about the election’s transparency, urging the release of detailed voting data. However, they have yet to indicate what the results might mean for U.S. sanctions policy toward Venezuela.