Venezuelans around the globe responded to a call from the country's political opposition to defend their claim to victory in the disputed presidential election against President Nicolás Maduro. Demonstrations were held in various cities, including Tokyo, Sydney, and Mexico City, to make visible what the opposition insists is the true outcome of the election.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado led a rally in Caracas, emphasizing the importance of respecting every vote. The opposition candidate, Edmundo González, asserted their resounding victory on social media, despite not being present at the demonstration.
In Mexico City, hundreds of people gathered at the Monument to the Revolution, chanting for freedom and calling for Maduro to step down. The opposition has raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the election process, with the National Electoral Council declaring Maduro the winner without releasing detailed voting data.
González and Machado revealed that they had obtained a significant number of vote tally sheets, showing González winning by a wide margin. They urged supporters to bring these sheets to the demonstrations as evidence of their claim.
The opposition has sought international support to pressure Maduro into accepting the election results. The recent crackdown on dissent in Venezuela, including arrests and violence against protesters, has raised alarm among Venezuelans both at home and abroad.
Despite calls from some countries for a repeat of the election, the opposition leader rejected this idea, stating that it would be an insult to the people. The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with concerns about the government's response to the opposition's claims.
