Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado reported an assassination attempt on her and her campaign team in the city of Barquisimeto, located in the state of Lara, this Thursday.
The political leader took to Instagram to raise international awareness about what she described as an attempt on her life. "At dawn, an attempt was made on my life and my team's in Barquisimeto. Our cars were vandalized, and the brake hoses were cut. Agents of the regime followed us from Portuguesa and surrounded the residential area where we stayed overnight," Machado stated.
María Corina suggested that the current Venezuelan leader could be behind this attack. "The campaign of Nicolás Maduro is rooted in violence, and he is responsible for any harm to our physical integrity. They will not stop us," the opposition leader declared.
The incident occurred following the arrest of Milciades Ávila, head of security for María Corina Machado. The former police officer was detained for more than 36 hours and was finally released on Thursday night.
According to El Mundo, Ávila was arrested by the regime, accused of an alleged case of gender violence, which authorities could not substantiate. In the two weeks of the official campaign, nearly 80 detentions of activists, journalists, and campaign workers of María Corina have been reported.
María Corina Machado, known for being one of the most prominent figures of the Venezuelan opposition and a direct rival to Nicolás Maduro in the upcoming presidential elections, claimed that these attacks are a strategy by the Chavista regime to intimidate her and halt her campaign.
Images shared on her social media platforms show the damage inflicted on the vehicles, including cut brake lines and other acts of vandalism, such as painting "No + Bloqueo" (No More Blockade) on the cars with oil-based paint.
This incident did not go unnoticed by many Cubans, as it recalls slogans used by the regime on the island. Comedian Andy Vázquez reacted to María Corina's video with surprise and suggested that the Cuban regime, led by Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel, might be involved in the vandalism.
"No more blockade? That sounds like the communist Cuban henchmen. How sorry I feel for my fellow countrymen! But keep going, María Corina. Cubans do not want more communism in Venezuela or our beloved Cuba. Nothing will stop you. Long live Venezuela and Cuba free of communism!" Vázquez exclaimed.
The political climate in Venezuela grows increasingly tense as the presidential elections, scheduled for July 28, approach, with the opposition facing mounting challenges in their fight for a fair and transparent electoral process.
Key Questions About María Corina Machado's Accusations Against Nicolás Maduro
Given the gravity of the accusations made by María Corina Machado, it is essential to address some critical questions surrounding this issue. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What exactly did María Corina Machado accuse Nicolás Maduro of?
María Corina Machado accused Nicolás Maduro of orchestrating an assassination attempt against her and her campaign team in Barquisimeto.
What evidence did María Corina Machado provide to support her claims?
Machado shared images on social media showing vandalized vehicles with cut brake hoses and other damage. She also mentioned that agents of the regime followed and surrounded her team.
Who else has reacted to this incident?
Cuban comedian Andy Vázquez reacted to the incident, suggesting possible involvement of the Cuban regime, and expressing solidarity with María Corina Machado.