In Caracas, Venezuela, a group of masked attackers broke into the headquarters of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in the early hours of Friday. According to Machado’s party, the assailants forced entry by breaking down doors and stole valuable documents and equipment. Walls in the headquarters were found spray-painted in black during the raid.
The attack on Machado’s headquarters is the latest in a series of violent incidents against critics of President Nicolás Maduro following the disputed presidential election. After the election results were announced, Maduro and other top officials have threatened to arrest Machado, prompting her to go into hiding while calling on Venezuelans and the international community to challenge the election outcome.
The Biden administration has thrown its support behind the opposition, rejecting the official election results that declared Maduro the winner and instead recognizing last-minute candidate Edmundo González as the victor. This stance has been backed by calls from various governments, including Maduro’s allies, for detailed precinct-level vote counts to be released by Venezuela’s electoral authorities.
Despite the electoral body declaring Maduro as the winner, the opposition coalition revealed data from 80% of the voting tallies indicating González’s victory by a significant margin. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that based on overwhelming evidence, González won the most votes in the presidential election.
Maduro swiftly responded to the US announcement, advising the United States to stay out of Venezuela’s affairs. González, whose whereabouts are unknown, expressed gratitude to the US for recognizing the will of the Venezuelan people and supporting the restoration of democratic norms in the country.
Efforts are underway by Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico to persuade Maduro for an impartial audit of the election. However, Maduro has shown reluctance to reconsider his position. The economic challenges facing Venezuela, exacerbated by US oil sanctions, are further complicating the situation, with the Biden administration indicating a possible escalation of sanctions unless Maduro agrees to a transition.
The country, once with a thriving economy, is now facing a severe crisis characterized by hyperinflation and mass emigration. Political tensions escalated following the contested elections, resulting in protests and arrests. Machado and González, leading opposition figures, have been in hiding since addressing a rally in Caracas, where the president of the National Assembly called for their arrest. Foreign observers have criticized Maduro’s request for a court audit, citing concerns over its independence.
In an op-ed, Machado expressed fear for her safety and urged the international community to intervene, stating that the opposition has evidence of Maduro’s electoral defeat. She called for nationwide demonstrations, highlighting the need for legitimate governance through fair elections.
