2-8-2024 (CARACAS) Amid ongoing tensions over a disputed presidential election in Venezuela, a major opposition movement has raised alarm over the vandalization of its headquarters in the capital city of Caracas. The incident has further fueled the already volatile political atmosphere in the country, as the government and opposition continue to trade accusations over allegations of electoral fraud.
On Friday, Vente Venezuela, the movement headed by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, reported that its headquarters had been targeted by a group of six unidentified men wearing hoods and carrying guns. According to the group, the armed individuals overpowered security guards overnight, gained entry into the Caracas premises, and proceeded to vandalize the office and seize equipment.
“We denounce the attacks and insecurity to which we are subjected for political reasons,” Vente Venezuela declared on social media, shedding light on the disturbing incident.
???????? | URGENTE: Un grupo de seis hombres armados y encapuchados asaltaron por la madrugada la Sede Nacional de @VenteVenezuela, oficina principal de Maria Corina Machado. Sometieron a los vigilantes, luego se llevaron todos los equipos y documentos. Grave.pic.twitter.com/oQLcK86NLt
— AgustÃn Antonetti (@agusantonetti) August 2, 2024
The vandalism occurs against the backdrop of a contentious presidential election in which incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, was declared the winner of a third term by the National Electoral Council (CNE). However, the opposition has vehemently challenged the official results, claiming that its tally of approximately 90% of the votes shows Maduro’s opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez, received more than double the support of the incumbent president – a stark contrast to the figures announced by the CNE.
The opposition’s claims have garnered support from several countries in the region, including Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, which have called on Venezuela’s government to release detailed voting tallies to address concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has accused the United States of being “at the forefront of a coup attempt” after the US State Department recognized Gonzalez as the election’s winner a day earlier. In response, Gonzalez took to social media to thank the US “for recognizing the will of the Venezuelan people reflected in our electoral victory.”
The situation has become increasingly volatile, with at least 20 people reported killed in post-election protests across Venezuela, according to the US-based NGO Human Rights Watch.
