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Venezuela's Maduro Faces Protests and Crackdown After Disputed Election, Machado Leads Opposition

Aug 13, 2024, 01:01 PM

Venezuela is facing political turmoil following the disputed presidential election held on July 28, where President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory despite allegations of fraud. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who asserts that opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia won 67% of the vote, is calling for global protests against Maduro's government. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and United Nations have expressed concern over the crackdown on dissent and arbitrary detentions of over 2,000 individuals by Maduro's forces, including an operation known as 'Operation Knock-Knock.' The ICC is actively monitoring the situation. The international community, including countries like Spain, Brazil, and Mexico, is demanding transparency and verification of the election results. Meanwhile, Maduro has sought to consolidate power by relying on military support, urging an 'iron fist' response to protests, and enacting measures to regulate NGOs and media, raising fears of increased censorship.