Venezuelan opposition protests as election dispute drags on

By Deisy Buitrago and Mariela Nava

CARACAS/MARACAIBO (Reuters) – Venezuela’s political opposition and its supporters gathered in cities around the country on Saturday to demand recognition of what they say is their candidate’s resounding victory in a presidential vote nearly three weeks ago.

The country’s electoral authority, considered by the opposition to be an arm of the ruling party, has said President Nicolas Maduro won his third term in the July 28 contest, with just under 52% of the vote.

But the opposition, led by former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, has published online what it says are 83% of voting machine tallies, which give its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez a hearty 67% support.

The disputed vote has thrown the economically-beleaguered nation into political crisis and a government crackdown on protests has led to at least 2,400 arrests. Clashes connected to the protests have also led to at least 23 deaths.

The international community has offered a raft of suggestions as to how the nearly three-week-old election crisis could be overcome – including a new vote – but most have been rejected outright by both the ruling party and opposition.

In the capital Caracas, over five thousand people had gathered by midday in the eastern part of the city, along its main thoroughfare.

“I came today to support Maria Corina and Edmundo to be able to have a future in this country and have a family,” said Jesus Aguilar, a 21-year-old theology student. “We know that with this government there are no possibilities for growth, I’ve even seen myself trying to leave the country.”

In cities across the country, Venezuelans were in the streets. In Maracaibo, Venezuela’s once oil-rich city in the northwest of the country, hundreds had gathered by 9 a.m. (1300 GMT).

“We have already been through the worst, we don’t have any more fear,” Noraima Rodriguez, 52, told Reuters. “My daughter died because there were no medical supplies in the university hospital. I have nothing to lose, but I want a future for my grandchildren.”

Less than a hundred protesters gathering in Maracay earlier in the morning were quickly dispersed by tear gas. Hundreds were demonstrating in Valencia, San Cristobal and Barquisimeto, many waving Venezuelan flags, protest signs or copies of voting tallies.

The opposition is still pushing for recognition of its victory, but its options are narrowing as international attention is drawn elsewhere, opposition sources and analysts told Reuters this week.

Many Western countries have urged full publication of results, while Russia, China and others have congratulated Maduro on his victory.

Washington, which hardened oil sanctions in April on the OPEC member for what it said was Maduro’s failure to comply with a deal on electoral conditions, and other Western countries are showing little sign of swift, tough action over what many of them have condemned as voting fraud.

Latin American leaders will discuss the crisis this weekend when many are in the Dominican Republic to attend the inauguration of that country’s new president, Panama’s president has said.