Venezuela: Opposition seeks assist from Latin American politicians | EUROtoday

Shortly earlier than Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro took workplace, opposition chief Edmundo González Urrutia campaigned for assist in Panama. Accompanied by a number of former Latin American leaders, González met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Panama City and was photographed with poll papers that he says show his victory in July elections.

“Venezuela is facing very difficult times because the regime is clinging to power despite the clear electoral defeat,” González stated after thanking Mulino for his assist. “The elections were openly stolen.”

Latin American international locations steer clear of the inauguration

Panama was one of many first Latin American international locations to demand from Venezuelan authorities a full evaluation of the outcomes of July’s presidential election after the electoral fee declared incumbent Maduro the winner. The authorities introduced that it could shut relations Venezuela to droop till this has occurred.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro additionally stated he didn’t need to attend Maduro’s inauguration. “We cannot recognize elections that were not free,” Petro wrote on X.

Maduro is because of take the oath of workplace once more on Friday. In the presidential election on the finish of July, González Urrutia ran in opposition to the long-time Venezuelan ruler. Maduro claimed victory afterwards, though only some states similar to Russia acknowledged this. Maduro ignored the opposition’s allegations of electoral fraud and suppressed protests in opposition to his renewed time period in workplace.

Opposition reviews arrests

Before Maduro is sworn in, the state of affairs in Venezuela continues to deteriorate. The opposition alliance FDP complained in regards to the “arbitrary” arrest of former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez. The 61-year-old took authorized motion in opposition to Maduro’s election victory, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud. The director of the NGO Espacio Público, which campaigns for freedom of expression in Venezuela, was additionally apparently arrested.

According to eyewitnesses, Carlos Correa was kidnapped by masked males within the heart of Caracas. Opposition politician María Corina Machado reported that her mom’s home was surrounded by safety officers. Opposition chief Edmundo González Urrutia had additionally beforehand reported the arrest of his son-in-law Rafael Tudares.

Interior Minister: Anyone who protests will remorse it “for the rest of their lives.”

Ahead of the protests in opposition to Maduro’s inauguration introduced by the opposition for Thursday, the federal government is mobilizing a big contingent of safety forces in Caracas. Assault rifles have been distributed to members of pro-government militias. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warned in opposition to taking part in opposition demonstrations. Anyone who takes half on this will remorse it “for the rest of their lives”.