Venezuela opposition’s Machado emerges to lead protests over disputed Maduro election win
- Authorities have declared the incumbent president the winner, sparking widespread allegations of fraud
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado emerged from hiding on Saturday to join her supporters protesting in the streets of Caracas against contested national election results, as thousands marched all across the South American country.
“Just as it took us a long time to achieve electoral victory, now comes a stage that we take day by day, but we have never been as strong as today, never,” Machado told supporters in Caracas.
Venezuela’s electoral authority, blasted by critics as favouring the ruling socialists, proclaimed President Nicolas Maduro the winner in last Sunday’s vote, saying on Monday he obtained 51 per cent compared to 46 per cent for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. The authority reaffirmed a similar margin on Friday.
The published election result sparked widespread allegations of fraud and protests. Subsequently security forces cracked down on protests which Maduro’s government labelled part of an attempted US-backed coup.
Supporters were happy to see Machado in the streets after the leader said in a Thursday op-ed for the Wall Street Journal that she was in hiding and feared for her life.
“I am happy because I am here with Maria Corina, supporting Venezuela to escape this terrible injustice,” said housewife Yamilet Rondon, 42, who was waving a Venezuelan flag.
