Venezuela Election Protests Spread As Maduro Claims US-Backed ‘Color Revolution’ Driving Mayhem

“We've seen this movie before,” said Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro from the presidential palace following a night of massive protests and unrest which has seen clashes with police. The protests look to spread Tuesday, as new large rallies are being planned. “We have been following all of the acts of violence promoted by the extreme right,”
Venezuela Election Protests Spread As Maduro Claims US-Backed ‘Color Revolution’ Driving Mayhem

“We’ve seen this movie before,” said Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro from the presidential palace following a night of massive protests and unrest which has seen clashes with police. The protests look to spread Tuesday, as new large rallies are being planned.

“We have been following all of the acts of violence promoted by the extreme right,” he added in the fresh remarks cited by Reuters. Overnight, several United Socialist Party of Venezuela offices and headquarters were burned by oppositionists who charge that the election was stolen. 

Members of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) and the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) clashed with opposition demonstrators starting Monday, EPA-EFE.

Maduro also commented, “I’m getting a video here of the burning of PSUV’s headquarters in Calabozo… this is very typical of what they call ‘Color Revolutions’, designed by the Americans. It’s a script.”

Protests have reportedly come near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, with crowds – many of which marched by foot from rural districts – clashing with police, even using petrol bombs against security forces. And as we detailed previously, a number of statues depicting former President Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s mentor and leader of the country from 1999-2013, were torn down.

There are scenes of possible gunfire in the Venezuelan capital. Unverified social media videos appear to show that some of the anti-Maduro protesters are armed.

At the same time, gangs of armed government enforcers have been patrolling on motorcycles – something which had also played out in similar 2019 protests.

Some videos are circulating which purport to show a hospital on fire amid the mayhem…

A number of media correspondents have also observed many peaceful protests throughout the country. The protesters believe that opposition candidate, former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez – backed by popular leader Maria Corina Machado – was robbed in Sunday’s vote.

“Videos from across the country, from Charallave to Caucagüita, show crowds banging their pots — a rattling cacophony so loud it can be heard from far away across an entire city,” observed CNN correspondents. “CNN teams witnessed dozens of national guard soldiers in riot gear repressing the mostly peaceful protests with tear gas and batons.”

Unconfirmed footage shows that both sides are armed and have engaged in firefights…

In his latest press conference opposition candidate González claimed he has proof that the election was stolen.

“I speak to you with the calmness of the truth,” González told dozens of supporters. “We have in our hands the tally sheets that demonstrate our categorical and mathematically irreversible victory.”

He said this following National Electoral Council, which is deeply embedded with the ruling Unites Socialist Party of Venezuela, officially declared Maduro the winner, allowing him a third six-year term. “Machado told reporters tally sheets show Maduro and Gonzalez received more than 2.7 million and roughly 6.2 million votes respectively,” according to the AP. But Maduro has vowed to enforce the “rule of law” in the face of the protests.

As for the claims of ‘color revolution’ – this hearkens back to the 2019 unrest which centered on Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido trying to launch a coup with help from the United States.

Current chaos in the capital has resulted in some pundits recalling press briefings from that period of the Trump administration where top US officials openly boasted of trying to subvert and divide the population using sanctions and immense political pressure.

Guaido was then named by Washington and an number of Western allies ‘Interim President’ – a title which more recently was quietly dropped as he has failed to maintain broad support within the country.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Florida House Prices Surge in One City
Read More

Florida House Prices Surge in One City

West Palm Beach in Florida saw one of the biggest year-over-year home price increases in the country in the four weeks ending July 28, according to the latest data from Redfin, up 12.8 percent compared to the same period in 2023. It was the fifth-biggest median sale price increase in the country after those reported

Anti-school-choice groups oppose Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro for VP: ‘Has supported policies mirroring Project 2025’

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is a top contender for Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate this campaign season — but he’s not the choice candidate for the anti-school-choice crowd. That’s why teachers’ unions across the country are seeking to block him from becoming the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. Twenty-eight self-described “public education advocacy
Competing for two: Pregnant Olympians push the boundaries of possibility in Paris
Read More

Competing for two: Pregnant Olympians push the boundaries of possibility in Paris

Pregnant athletes are pushing boundaries in Paris by competing ever later into pregnancy Competing for two: Pregnant Olympians push the boundaries of possibility in ParisBy JOCELYN NOVECKAP National WriterThe Associated PressPARIS PARIS (AP) — Many Olympic athletes take to Instagram to share news of their exploits, trials, victories and heartbreaks. After her fencing event ended
England captain Stokes injured in Hundred match
Read More

England captain Stokes injured in Hundred match

England captain Stokes injured in Hundred match Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Stokes had scored two runs playing as an opener for Northern Superchargers when he sustained his injury Published 11 August 2024 England Test captain Ben Stokes was carried off the field after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for the Northern Superchargers