Mass arrests during regime-critical protests

Several deaths and mass arrests are reported in connection with street protests against Venezuela's regime's claims of victory in Sunday's election. The military is said to have sworn loyalty to President Nicolás Maduro. But opposition leader Edmundo González says he has evidence that he won big.

» Updated: July 30 2024

» Published: July 30 2024

Mass arrests during regime-critical protests
Photo: Cristian Hernandez/AP/TT

The protests broke out as soon as the regime announced Maduro's victory on Monday night – a result that the opposition and critics consider to be rigged.

Even in several poor areas where support for Maduro's hard rule had previously been great, people shouted "freedom!" and "the government must fall!", news agencies report.

The demonstrations turned violent when security forces tried to stop them with tear gas and rubber bullets. By Tuesday afternoon Swedish time, at least three fatalities, two in the state of Aragua and one in the capital Caracas, had been reported, and 44 injured, according to the network The National Hospital Survey.

Another person has died in the state of Yaracuy, according to the organization Foro Penal.

Venezuela's Justice Minister Tarek William Saab said on Tuesday that 749 people had been arrested in connection with the protests, and that those arrested would be prosecuted for "resistance against authorities, and in the most severe cases: terrorism".

Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said in a televised comment that the military was "fully loyal" to President Maduro.

"Showing victory"

The opposition claims to have obtained more than 70 percent of the vote count documents showing that their candidate Edmundo González received more than double the number of votes than Maduro in Sunday's election.

The Pan American cooperation organization OAS says that the election was marked by "manipulation" and writes in a statement that Maduro's regime has "applied a repressive system, in combination with actions aimed at completely distorting the election result".

Criticism from abroad

The international criticism of the election is extensive. Following the announcement from Caracas, nine Latin American countries demanded an independent review of the election result. Venezuela has responded by declaring diplomats from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay persona non grata in the country.

Criticism of the election result was also voiced from the USA, the UK, France, and Spain. The UN Secretary-General demands full transparency.

However, several countries have simultaneously shown their support for Maduro as president – including Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Honduras. His government also received support from both Russia and China.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Ship's Record Cocaine Haul Seized in South Korea

Russian Envoy Sees Positive Shift
1 MIN READ

Russian Envoy Sees Positive Shift in US Relations After Washington Talks

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Strikes Kill 3, Injure Dozens in Ukraine

Israel Updates Music Festival Death
2 MIN READ

Israel Updates Music Festival Death Toll to 378 After Investigation

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane
1 MIN READ

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane Crash Near Bergen Lake

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal
1 MIN READ

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal App for Discussing Yemen Attack Plans

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Frederiksen to USA: Annexation Not an Option, Let's Strengthen Arctic Security

Seoul Braces for Verdict as
3 MIN READ

Seoul Braces for Verdict as South Korea Awaits Yoon's Fate

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises as Aid Efforts Intensify

Trump Fires Key Security Officials
2 MIN READ

Trump Fires Key Security Officials After Oval Office Meeting

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles
1 MIN READ

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles to EU Parliament Seeking Support

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988
1 MIN READ

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988 Executions Dies at 70

UN Alarmed by Reports of
1 MIN READ

UN Alarmed by Reports of Civilian Executions in Sudan

Mother and Daughter Found Shot
1 MIN READ

Mother and Daughter Found Shot Dead in Norway; Suspect Also Dead

Elon Musk to Stay as
1 MIN READ

Elon Musk to Stay as Advisor to Trump, Confirms JD Vance

Israeli Legal Experts Call for
1 MIN READ

Israeli Legal Experts Call for War Crimes Probe into Gaza Attack

EU Parliament Approves Delay in
1 MIN READ

EU Parliament Approves Delay in Key Sustainability Rules

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty
2 MIN READ

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty in Talks with US

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination
1 MIN READ

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination Concerns in India

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting
1 MIN READ

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting in Gaza Strip

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives
1 MIN READ

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives as Recovery Efforts Continue

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2
1 MIN READ

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2 Cruise, Over 240 Passengers Affected

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to
3 MIN READ

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to NATO, Calls for Increased Defense Spending

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold
1 MIN READ

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold Passes Away

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package
1 MIN READ

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package to Ukraine

Russia Not on US Tariff
2 MIN READ

Russia Not on US Tariff List Despite Broad Global Reach

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women
1 MIN READ

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women and Newborns, Says Save the Children

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink
1 MIN READ

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink Near Greece and Turkey, 16 Migrants Dead

Search for Missing MH370 Paused
1 MIN READ

Search for Missing MH370 Paused Until Year-End, Says Malaysia

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze
1 MIN READ

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze in Rome; Italy Boosts Security Measures

UN Envoy Urges Israel to
2 MIN READ

UN Envoy Urges Israel to Halt Strikes in Southern Syria

US Calls for UN Official's
1 MIN READ

US Calls for UN Official's Removal Over Alleged Anti-Semitic Views

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US
1 MIN READ

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US Officials in Washington for Talks

31 Killed in Israeli Air
1 MIN READ

31 Killed in Israeli Air Strike on Gaza School Shelter

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks
3 MIN READ

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks ICC Withdrawal Decision

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350
1 MIN READ

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350 Bears After Fatal Attack

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Israeli Air Strikes in Syria Leave Four Dead, Hit Military Sites

Mike Waltz's Extensive Use of
1 MIN READ

Mike Waltz's Extensive Use of Signal Raises Security Concerns

Frederiksen Pledges Support for Greenland
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen Pledges Support for Greenland During Challenging Times

Elon Musk Expected to Exit
2 MIN READ

Elon Musk Expected to Exit White House Role Soon, Sources Say