Written by Daisy Buitrago and Mariela Nava
CARACAS/MARACAIBO – Venezuela's political opposition groups and their supporters gathered in the country's cities on Saturday to demand recognition for what they say is a stunning victory for their party in the presidential election almost three weeks ago.
The country's electoral authorities, considered by the opposition to be an arm of the ruling party, said President Nicolas Maduro won his third term in the July 28 contest, with less than 52% of the vote.
But the opposition, led by former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, has published online what it says are 83% of the voting machine tallies, giving its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez 67% loyal support.
The controversial vote has plunged the economically fragile country into political crisis, and the government's crackdown on protests has led to at least 2,400 arrests. Clashes linked to the protests resulted in at least 23 deaths.
The international community has offered a number of proposals to overcome the three-week-old electoral crisis – including a new vote – but most have been rejected by the ruling party and the opposition.
In the capital Caracas, thousands gathered in the eastern part of the city along its main road.
Standing in a truck in the middle of the crowd, Machado called for independent, international verification of the election and for his supporters to stay in the streets.
“There is nothing better than the voice of the people and the people have spoken,” he said.
Jesus Aguilar, aged 21, a student of theology, came out in support of the opposition with the hope of a better future: “We know that with this government there are no opportunities for growth. I have seen myself trying to leave. my brothers.”
In cities across the country, Venezuelans were in the streets. In Maracaibo, Venezuela's once oil-rich northwestern city, hundreds had gathered by 9 am (1300 GMT).
“We have passed the worst, we are not afraid of anything,” Noraima Rodriguez, 52, told Reuters. “My daughter died because there were no medical supplies at the university hospital. I have nothing to lose, but I want the future of my grandchildren.”
In the cities of Valencia, San Cristobal and Barquisimeto, hundreds showed up, many waving Venezuelan flags, protest signs or copies of voting statistics. In Maracay, about 110 kilometers (70 miles) west of Caracas, about 100 protesters were dispersed with tear gas.
From Bogota to Madrid, Venezuelans are coming out in droves. In downtown Mexico City, nearly a thousand people gathered in the center of the Plaza de la Revolucion.
“This is the time for a free Venezuela,” said Jesus Mata, 30, a street vendor who arrived in Mexico two years ago.
Driven by economic and political problems, he was among tens of thousands of Venezuelans who crossed the treacherous jungle between Colombia and Panama known as the Darien Gap, which is notorious for robbery, kidnapping, rape and other dangers.
“I hope that 25 years of darkness will end, and there will be freedom so that the nearly 8 million Venezuelans who are outside the country can return home,” he added.
Maduro has overseen an economic collapse, with the loss of more than 73% of Venezuela's gross domestic product since 2013, according to researchers at the Institute of Superior Administration Studies in Caracas.
At the Miraflores Palace after a pro-government march, Maduro promised 8% growth this year and lashed out at international critics and the opposition.
“We have earned the right to make whatever future we want in Venezuela, however we want, and nobody can hold their noses in Venezuela,” he told the crowd waving Venezuelan flags. “I don't go around giving advice to anyone in the world about what to do with this country or that country…the door will be opened to everyone who sticks their nose in Venezuela.”
The opposition still wants recognition for its victory, but its options are dwindling as international attention moves elsewhere, opposition sources and analysts told Reuters this week.
Many Western countries called for full publication of the results, while Russia, China and others congratulated Maduro on his victory.
Washington, which tightened oil sanctions in April on the OPEC member for what it said was Maduro's failure to follow through on an agreement on election conditions, and other Western countries showed little sign of swift, firm action in what many criticized as a vote. fraud.
The leaders of Latin America will discuss this problem this weekend when many are in the Dominican Republic to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new president of that country, said the president of Panama.
