Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has strongly criticised President Nicolas Maduro. She accused him of using the nation’s military to maintain power after a controversial election last month. According to Machado, Maduro has “entrenched himself” with top military leaders in a desperate bid to stay in control.
Disputed Election and Accusations of Fraud
The trouble started with the July 28 election. The CNE, the group in charge of counting votes, said Maduro won. But the opposition believes their candidate, Gonzalez, actually won by a lot. The CNE is accused of being unfair and hasn’t shared a detailed vote count. Their website has been down since July 29, which makes people suspicious.
The opposition decided to share their own vote count online. According to them, Gonzalez got double the votes that Maduro received. This is the opposite of what the CNE claimed.
Calls for Protest and Military Loyalty
At a virtual press conference, Machado told people in Venezuela and abroad to protest on Saturday. She wants to pressure Maduro to accept what she thinks was the real election result.
Machado stated that Maduro’s only remaining option is to firmly establish himself as the head of the military leadership. This statement highlights her belief that Maduro’s support is waning among the general population. By leaving him reliant on the military to retain power.
The Venezuelan military has historically been a strong supporter of Maduro. He has been in power since 2013. Despite the post-election turmoil, there have been no public indications. That the military leadership is considering abandoning Maduro. This continued support from the armed forces is a barrier to any potential shift in power.
Legal Troubles and Crackdown on Dissent
Machado herself is under criminal investigation for allegedly encouraging the police and military to engage in civil disobedience. This investigation stems from a letter she published. In which she called on security forces to abandon Maduro and support the opposition.
The government’s response to post-election protests has been severe. Security forces have arrested more than 2,400 people. As advocacy groups say it has created a climate of fear among those considering public demonstrations. These arrests are part of a broader crackdown on those the government accuses of participating in violent crimes during the protests.
International Reaction and the Path Forward
While Western countries have generally condemned Maduro’s actions as fraudulent. Their responses have been cautious. Past diplomatic efforts to address the situation in Venezuela have largely failed. And international leaders are not ready to repeat those mistakes.
Machado is still firm about her stance. She thinks Maduro made a mistake and needs to be pressured to agree to a fair transition of power. She’s also made it clear that a power-sharing deal between the ruling party and the opposition isn’t an option.
Venezuela is dealing with the fallout from a disputed election. What happens next will depend on the opposition’s fight against Maduro, the military’s loyalty, and how other countries respond.