Photo Credits: Getty Images
The protester's placard in the title photo translates to "we are not terrorists" (many peaceful protesters have been labelled terrorists to justify their detention) and "let's go all the way" (in ending Maduro's rule)
As July drew to a close, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared electoral victory in an impassioned and boisterous tone. After a decade spent entrenching his power, (marked by numerous human rights violations, political repression, and an economic crisis) Maduro’s self-declared success came as no surprise. He was congratulated by key allies such as Russia and China. Yet his claim to victory is not substantiated by sufficient evidence. Numerous Western and Latin American governments have rejected his claim, calling for detailed electoral data to be released. Meanwhile, Maduro’s electoral opponents provided externally accredited evidence as proof that they were the genuine victors. This discredits Maduro’s claim to democratic legitimacy and marks him as guilty of electoral fraud.
The opposition’s evidence (clandestinely recorded vote tallies) gives the lie to Maduro’s victory declarations. In a nation where many despise the government and its history of repression, propaganda and gross economic mismanagement, it has sparked a furious response. Widespread protests, scattered across the nation and backed up internationally (by democratic organisations and a large, protest-friendly Venezuelan diaspora), reflect popular disgust at Maduro’s conduct. They wish to “go all the way” and end his rule.
The Venezuelan government has responded fiercely. They claim to have arrested thousands of protesters, who they label “criminal fascists” and coup orchestrators. Mass arrests have been random and indiscriminate. This is stirring fear amongst the general populace. Labelled “Operation Knock Knock”, the roundup makes anyone with suspected connections to protesters or anti-Maduro politics a potential target. This operation is likely to be added to the list of Maduro-sanctioned crimes against humanity compiled by the United Nations in recent years.
Unsurprisingly, state authorities seized this opportunity to clamp down hard on prominent dissidents. The opposition leaders (María Corina Machado and Edmundo González) live under fear of arrest. María Oropeza, a regional campaign leader for Machado’s party, was arrested at home without a warrant. These are just a few examples of targeted state oppression. Many human rights defenders and other critics of the government have been arrested. Those currently free live in fear of being next.
This fit of mass repression shows a government embroiled in a struggle for unchallengeable power. It uses force of arms to silence opposition. However, domestic political opposition, combined with international pressure, has undermined the effectiveness of this tactic. Will the atrocities worsen, or will Maduro relent?
A combination of factors, such as those mentioned above, could come together to bring serious political change to Venezuela. Yet nothing is certain, and with continued Russian and Chinese support, Maduro is not completely isolated.
Thousands are detained, and millions are fearful and grieving. Under a regime such as this, the mere existence of an opposition is a symbol of hope. Protesters still say that they will “go all the way” against dictatorship. It is with the bravest optimism that people seek change in a climate of pain and despair.
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