Amid allegations of fraud in the controversial July 28 elections, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is calling for an “iron fist” response to protests called for by the opposition in over 100 cities globally. Maduro demands swift and efficient action against crime, violence, and hate crimes, emphasizing the need for strict and fair justice.
Opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, currently in hiding, urge Venezuelans to demonstrate on Aug. 17, demanding recognition of Gonzalez as the true election victor despite Maduro’s official win. Doubts over the election’s transparency fueled nationwide protests, resulting in 25 deaths, 192 injuries, and over 2,000 arrests.
Maduro accuses the opposition of inciting a coup and civil unrest, while international bodies like the UN and ICC express concern over reported violence and repression by Venezuelan security forces. The credibility of the election results has been questioned by various countries and organizations, raising tensions in Venezuela.
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