Cuban democracy activist Rosa María Payá condemned Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday, accusing him of using state terrorism to solidify his presidency in Venezuela following fraudulent elections. In a statement on social media platform X, Payá asserted that Maduro aims to cement his coup: “Just as the Castros do, he is using the law, institutions, judges, and law enforcement to exercise state terrorism.”
“He is persecuting opposition members with fabricated charges,” warned the Cuban activist.
Payá argued that both Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, along with Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly threaten and incite violence against protesters. Similar to tactics employed by the political police in Cuba, Venezuelan authorities are utilizing videos posted on social media during protests to identify and abduct protesters from their homes, the activist noted.
“They are invalidating the passports of activists and demonstrators,” Payá highlighted, pointing out that this is another common practice of the Cuban dictatorship.
Payá urged all governments in the Americas to recognize the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people, noting that the governments of Cuba, Iran, Russia, and China support Maduro's coup. “We Cubans, who are dealing with the mother of all dictatorships, also want to decide our future. We will fight for change in Cuba for the good of the entire region,” she declared.
International Reactions
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his firm rejection of the election results in Venezuela, citing suspicions of electoral fraud and human rights violations. “I have no doubt that Maduro's regime attempted electoral fraud. If that were not the case, they would have shown the infamous voting records,” Boric stated.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo also declared that his government does not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the elected president, questioning the transparency of the results presented by Venezuela's National Electoral Council. During a press conference on Monday, Arévalo emphasized that the results of the July 28 presidential election in Venezuela do not meet the "minimum transparency criteria required by a modern democracy."
The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Foro Penal has reported that 1,102 people have been detained in Venezuela due to protests against Nicolás Maduro's proclamation as re-elected president, including 100 teenagers and five indigenous individuals. This NGO, leading the defense of political prisoners in the South American country, indicated that the arrests are spread across nearly all regions, showcasing the government's repression following suspicions of electoral fraud. These detentions were verified from July 29 to August 6, 2024.
Understanding the Crisis in Venezuela
Given the gravity of the situation in Venezuela, it's crucial to address some frequently asked questions that shed light on the ongoing crisis and international reactions.
Why is Rosa María Payá accusing Nicolás Maduro of state terrorism?
Rosa María Payá accuses Nicolás Maduro of state terrorism for using legal and institutional mechanisms to persecute opposition members and suppress protests, similar to tactics used by the Cuban regime.
How are Venezuelan authorities identifying and detaining protesters?
Venezuelan authorities are using videos posted on social media during protests to identify and abduct protesters from their homes, a method also employed by the Cuban political police.
What are the international responses to the election results in Venezuela?
International responses include strong rejections from leaders like Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, who have cited suspicions of electoral fraud and human rights violations.