Venezuelan authorities plan to release 146 more individuals arrested post-election, raising the total released to 1,515. This move comes amid allegations of election fraud, as international observers contest President Maduro’s victory and recognize former opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
On Monday, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab announced the release of an additional 146 individuals arrested following the controversial July presidential election. This recent development brings the cumulative total of detainees freed to 1,515 people, occurring just days prior to President Nicolas Maduro’s commencement of his third term in office. This marks at least the sixth occasion on which the government has indicated that those detained for post-election protests will be liberated, with reports indicating that over 2,000 individuals were initially arrested during this period.
While the electoral authorities and the Supreme Court of Venezuela have declared that President Maduro won the election, numerous international observers have contested this legitimacy, deeming the electoral process as flawed. Several Western nations have voiced their support for Edmundo Gonzalez, a former opposition candidate, acknowledging him as the rightful winner of the election as he continues his diplomatic engagement in Washington.
In recent years, Venezuela has been the center of significant political turmoil, largely stemming from allegations of electoral fraud and repression of dissent. The most recent presidential election has seen a total of over 2,000 protesters arrested, leading to widespread international scrutiny regarding the state of democracy in the country. The government’s efforts to release political detainees can be interpreted as a response to both domestic and international pressure following the contentious elections.
The announcement of releasing 146 additional election protesters further underscores the ongoing political strife in Venezuela, as President Nicolas Maduro prepares to assume office for another term amidst claims of election irregularities. Although the government has taken steps to alleviate some detainee concerns, the debate over the legitimacy of the election continues, particularly with accusations from international observers and foreign governments regarding the true victor of the presidential contest.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
