Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have condemned Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration as illegitimate, citing fraudulent elections and state oppression. Opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia claims he won the election. The ADD aims for democratic transition in Venezuela amid alarming reports of political arrests. UN Secretary-General calls for the release of the arbitrarily detained.
On January 10, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic publicly condemned Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration for a third term as President of Venezuela, which they deem illegitimate due to alleged electoral fraud. These countries, members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), expressed their strong disapproval of the inauguration, asserting it to be the result of state terror against the Venezuelan populace.
Maduro, who has held the presidency since 2013, was sworn in during a ceremony that faced criticism from the United States, European Union, and several Latin American nations. Opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who claimed victory in the disputed July 28 elections, described the inauguration as a “coup d’état” and stated, “He crowns himself dictator.” According to the ADD, evidence indicates that voters supported González Urrutia overwhelmingly, peacefully, and in great numbers.
While the Venezuelan electoral authority announced Maduro’s victory with 52% of the votes, the detailed election count mandated by law has not yet been disclosed. The opposing faction asserts that González Urrutia actually secured 70% of the vote. The ADD reiterated its commitment to working alongside the international community towards a democratic transition in Venezuela to terminate the ongoing oppression and human rights violations.
Furthermore, Alfredo Romero, president of the humanitarian organization Foro Penal, disclosed the alarming statistic of “49 politically motivated arrests in Venezuela” since the beginning of the year. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his serious concern regarding the Venezuelan situation, calling for the release of all individuals who are being detained arbitrarily.
The political landscape in Venezuela has been marked by significant turmoil and controversy, especially surrounding elections and leadership legitimacy. Maduro’s administration faces ongoing allegations of corruption, electoral fraud, and significant human rights abuses. The ADD comprises countries that advocate for democratic values in the region and have historically opposed undemocratic practices, particularly in light of Venezuela’s increasingly authoritarian regime. Recent elections have been met with widespread skepticism from both national opposition parties and international observers, leading to considerable unrest and calls for political reform.
In summary, the rejection of Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration by Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic underscores the broader call for a return to democratic governance in Venezuela. The allegations of electoral fraud and abuses of power reflect an ongoing crisis that affects not only Venezuela but has implications across the region. The efforts by the ADD to support international intervention for a democratic transition highlight the urgent necessity for systemic change and respect for human rights in Venezuela.
Original Source: ticotimes.net
