The Venezuelan ruler, Nicolás Maduro, took advantage of his speech to the Chavistas gathered in Caracas this Saturday to boast of his hardline stance against protesters demonstrating against the fraudulent elections recently held in Venezuela. The crackdown on supporters of opposition leaders María Corina Machado and candidate Edmundo González Urrutia has been vividly documented on social media, showing raids organized by the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) and the regime's intelligence service, SEBIN.
Groups of enforcers, dressed in uniforms or civilian clothes, have been captured on video chasing and beating protesters, particularly the youth. Gunfire into the air, marking of opposition homes reminiscent of Nazi tactics, and other atrocities have been recorded by activists and Venezuelan citizens. International reports indicate that the repression has already resulted in over 20 deaths, with many more disappeared and more than 2,000 arrested.
Unashamedly bragging like a schoolyard bully, the dictator who inherited power from Hugo Chávez confirmed the crackdown, declaring, "this time, no forgiveness." "We've captured 2,000 prisoners, and they're headed to Tocorón and Tocuyito [maximum-security prisons in the states of Aragua and Carabobo]," Maduro announced with a faux tough-guy tone.
Cheered and applauded by his supporters, the dictator called for "maximum punishment" for the detainees and reiterated that "this time, no forgiveness... this time it's Tocorón." "All of them confess, all of them, because there has been a strict, legal process directed by the Attorney General's Office, with full guarantees, and all of them are convicted and confessed," Maduro claimed, accusing the detainees of being fascists trained to burn electoral centers and regional offices of the National Electoral Council (CNE), among other alleged terrorist acts.
According to the self-proclaimed president, the repressive operation is being efficiently carried out thanks to the "civic-military-police union" that supports his regime of terror, which is despised by the vast majority of Venezuelans, as indicated by the election documents presented by the opposition.
International Concern Over Repression
Aware of his growing unpopularity and the exhaustion of an autocratic model imported and advised from Havana, dictator Maduro has been threatening violence long before the elections. "If you don't want Venezuela to fall into a bloodbath and a fratricidal civil war caused by fascists, let's ensure the greatest success, the greatest electoral victory in the history of our people," the ruler shouted on July 17 during a rally in La Vega, Caracas.
The threats by the Chavista leader alarmed many, from Brazilian President Lula da Silva to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken had a phone conversation on Friday with González Urrutia and Machado, expressing concern for their safety and congratulating González Urrutia for receiving the majority of votes in the July 28 elections.
On the same day as Blinken's call, Machado's party, Vente Venezuela, reported an attack on its headquarters in Caracas. Six armed men stormed the premises, overpowering security guards and seizing equipment and documents.
In a column published in The Wall Street Journal, Machado expressed fear for her life, stating that she could be captured at any moment. The Venezuelan opposition has published 81% of the electoral records on a website, claiming that González Urrutia won the presidency by a wide margin. This electoral fraud allegation has triggered numerous protests nationwide, resulting in at least 20 deaths, including a soldier, and over 2,000 arrests.
Seventy-two hours after the fraudulent elections, the Organization of American States (OAS) requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue an arrest warrant for Maduro. The petition, led by OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, was based on allegations of crimes against humanity committed by Maduro in ordering the repression of protesters after the elections.
During an extraordinary session of the OAS Permanent Council in Washington, Almagro argued that justice for Venezuela was overdue and presented a draft resolution compelling the Venezuelan government to show the election results. However, the OAS could not reach a consensus to pressure Venezuelan authorities. Among the countries abstaining from the resolution were Brazil and Colombia, whose leaders had previously called for transparency from Caracas authorities. Mexico had anticipated its absence. In total, 17 members of the OAS Permanent Council voted in favor, 11 abstained, and five were absent, including Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela itself. Notably, there were no votes against.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Venezuelan Crisis
In light of the recent events in Venezuela, here are some frequently asked questions to provide further insights into the situation.
Why is Nicolás Maduro cracking down on protesters?
Maduro is cracking down on protesters to suppress dissent and maintain his regime's power following accusations of electoral fraud and widespread opposition.
What are the international reactions to Maduro's actions?
International reactions range from concern and condemnation by world leaders like U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, to calls for justice and transparency by the Organization of American States (OAS).
What has been the response of the Venezuelan opposition?
The Venezuelan opposition has organized protests, published electoral records online to demonstrate fraud, and called for international support to challenge Maduro's regime.
How has the international community responded to the election fraud allegations?
The international community, led by the OAS, has called for transparency and accountability, with some countries urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Maduro.