Protests broke out in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities on Monday. Many people were angry about what they saw as another rigged election under Nicolás Maduro. The electoral authority, often criticized for being unclear, quickly declared Maduro the winner. This caused tensions and hinted at possible unrest.
A heavy military and police presence patrolled the streets of Caracas to disperse protesters and keep them away from the presidential palace.
Meanwhile, crowds chanted "freedom, freedom!" and demanded the government's fall.
Also, footage showed burning tires on highways and large crowds in the streets. Police on motorbikes fired tear gas, making the situation more chaotic.
The BBC spoke to people who attended a protest in La Lucha, a crowded area where people come to fight for their rights.
Paola Sarzalejo, 41, said the vote was "terrible, fraud. We won with 70%, but they took the elections from us again."
"We want a better future for our youth and our country."
Her father, Miguel, 64, agreed. He said, "He lost the elections, so he has no right to be there now."
He added, "We want a better future for the youth. If not, they will leave the country. They need good jobs and good pay. We have a rich country, but he is ruining everything."
“If the youth leave, only old people will be left in Venezuela."
Opposition leader
On Monday, July 29, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced that the opposition has secured 73.2% of the votes from Sunday’s election. She claimed this shows the opposition won the election.
Statues Destroyed
During the recent protests, several important statues were destroyed, including the one of former president Hugo Chavez. This occurred amid widespread unrest over the country's disputed presidential election.
Chavez was Venezuela's president from 1999 until his death in 2013.
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Maduro's Presidency
Under Nicolás Maduro's rule, Venezuela has faced major political and economic problems. As a result, the country is now in a severe humanitarian crisis.
About 7 million Venezuelans have left because of extreme poverty, high inflation, and shortages of food and medicine. The healthcare system is also collapsing. Right now, over 90% of the population lives in poverty and struggles to meet basic needs.
Risks of Further Isolation and Dysfunction
Maduro’s continued rule might make the crisis worse. It could lead to more isolation and problems, causing even more people to leave the country in search of safety and better opportunities.
With Venezuela's political future uncertain, the effects of this turmoil could spread beyond its borders. This situation might destabilize the entire region, leading to increased migration and economic issues.
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