Venezuela opposition urges global protest over poll result
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Venezuela’s opposition party has announced plans for global protests on 17 August in support of its claim that it won the recent presidential election.
Although the government-controlled electoral commission declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner, granting him a third consecutive term, the opposition argues that their candidate, Edmundo González, was the true victor. They have demanded the release of detailed polling station data from the commission.
This demand has received support from the European Union and the United States, while several other Latin American countries have yet to acknowledge Mr. Maduro as the winner of last month’s election.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado posted a video on social media in which she said Venezuelans should “take to the streets” worldwide on Saturday 17 August in support of her party’s claim of victory.
“Let’s shout together for the world to support our victory and recognize truth and popular sovereignty”, she said on Sunday.
Her party published a data set online shortly after the 28 July election which it says proves Mr González won by a wide margin.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was “overwhelming evidence” that Edmundo González had won the most votes.
