On Monday, Venezuelan protesters demonstrating against the fraudulent election results announced by the regime of Nicolás Maduro tore down several statues of the Bolivarian leader Hugo Chávez and dragged the head of one statue through the streets, tied to a motorcycle.
Images shared on social media show two protesters riding a motorcycle, dragging the bronze head of a statue of Commander Chávez through the streets of an unidentified Venezuelan city. “The head of Chávez's statue was invited to take a tour of the areas protesting against the fraud,” commented Argentine journalist, writer, and international political analyst, Ignacio Montes De Oca, on his social media accounts.
According to the Associated Press (AP), thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets in Caracas on Monday to reject Maduro's re-election, a result widely questioned by both the opposition and several regional countries.
Protests Erupt in Petare and Beyond
In Petare, the largest and poorest neighborhood east of the capital, people began marching, shouting slogans against Maduro. Youths with covered faces tore down his campaign posters from poles and walls, while others chanted, “This government will fall, this government will fall!”
The demonstrators voiced their discontent with the National Electoral Council (CNE), which officially declared Maduro the winner. Shouts of “freedom” and other anti-government slogans echoed through the streets.
In Coro, Falcón state, protesters gathered at Hugo Chávez Plaza, a symbolic location for Chavismo, where they toppled a three-meter-tall statue that had served as a political landmark in the region. Similar scenes unfolded across various parts of Venezuela, reflecting the growing frustration and indignation among the populace over the fraudulent maneuvers by the Chavismo to retain power against the popular will.
This is not the first time the figure of the populist leader Hugo Chávez has become a target of Venezuelan anger. In late January 2019, during protests following the 2018 presidential election, several demonstrators set fire to a statue of Hugo Chávez in San Félix, Bolívar state. Similarly, in April 2017, residents of Mariara in Diego Ibarra municipality (Carabobo state) ignited a statue of the late Venezuelan president, cursing the figure of Hugo Chávez.
Understanding the Protests in Venezuela
To provide more context about the ongoing unrest in Venezuela, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are Venezuelans protesting against Nicolás Maduro?
Venezuelans are protesting against Nicolás Maduro due to widespread allegations of electoral fraud and dissatisfaction with his regime's handling of the country's economic and social crises.
What is the significance of toppling Hugo Chávez statues?
Toppling statues of Hugo Chávez symbolizes the rejection of his legacy and the current regime that continues to follow his policies, which many Venezuelans blame for the country's severe economic and political problems.
How has the international community reacted to the protests?
The international community, including several countries in the region, has widely condemned the alleged electoral fraud and expressed support for the Venezuelan people's right to protest.