Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has vowed to “pulverize” the latest challenge to his rule and assured troops he is “willing to do anything” to protect his “revolution” amid growing criticism of the crackdown that followed last week’s disputed election. Maduro announced that over 2,000 people have been arrested since the July 28 vote, while human rights groups report at least 22 deaths.
International Concerns and Reactions
European Union expressed serious concern over the increasing number of arbitrary detentions and harassment of the opposition, which has produced evidence suggesting its candidate, Edmundo González, won the election. “The European Union calls on Venezuelan authorities to put an end to arbitrary detentions, repression, and violent rhetoric against members of the opposition and civil society, and to release all political prisoners,” said the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also condemned the violence, stating that credible evidence indicates the election results do not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people.
Maduro’s Response
Maduro rejected the international criticism during a military ceremony in Caracas, labeling the EU as “a disgrace” and declaring that Venezuela is “confronting, defeating, containing, and pulverizing an attempted coup.” He urged military chiefs to ensure order and maintain the constitution, emphasizing his commitment to crush any opposition. Maduro also decorated troops who were injured while responding to post-election disturbances, asserting that he would pursue all criminals and fascists involved in the unrest.
Opposition and Public Support
Despite the government’s hard-line stance, opposition leader María Corina Machado rallied thousands of supporters, encouraging them to continue their fight against the regime. Edmundo González, the opposition candidate, refuted claims of inciting violence, advocating for a peaceful and impartial verification of the election results. International support for González’s win has come from the US and other nations, while neighboring countries Brazil and Colombia have urged Maduro to release detailed election data to defuse the crisis.
During the ceremony, a young soldier voiced complete loyalty to Maduro, stating, “Only with you leading us will the homeland not be lost; only with you will the flame of revolution not go out.” Meanwhile, Maduro dismissed his political opponents with harsh rhetoric, comparing them to historical dictators and refusing to surrender his position.
Ongoing Crisis
The ongoing political and economic crisis in Venezuela, which has led to the mass exodus of about eight million citizens, shows no signs of abating as Maduro remains steadfast in his refusal to acknowledge opposition claims or release election data. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution and the protection of democratic processes and opposition members in Venezuela.
