Global Protests Sparked by Venezuelan Opposition: Lisbon Joins the Movement

Venezuelan Opposition Calls for Worldwide Protests

The Venezuelan opposition has called for a "global protest for truth" this Saturday in over 100 cities worldwide, including Lisbon. This initiative is organized by the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), which represents the main opposition parties in Venezuela. The protests aim to contest the results of the July 28 presidential elections, claiming victory for Edmundo González Urrutia over the current president Nicolás Maduro.

María Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure, stated, "On Saturday, August 17, we will take to the streets of Venezuela and the world. Wherever there is a Venezuelan, we will be together. Trust, this time is different because we are different. Let's shout together for the world to support our victory and recognize the truth and popular sovereignty."

The call to action, shared through a video on the social media platform X, emphasizes unity among Venezuelans, both inside and outside the country. Protests are planned in major cities such as Washington, Miami, New York, and Madrid, among others.

In Latin America, protests are expected in Bogotá, Cúcuta, Brasília, Quito, Guayaquil, Montevideo, Asunción, San Salvador, Punta Cana, and Mexico City. According to the Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants (R4V), over 7.77 million Venezuelans have fled their country due to the ongoing political, economic, and social crisis.

Following the July 28 elections, the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Nicolás Maduro the winner with just over 51% of the votes, while the opposition claims their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, received nearly 70%. The opposition and various international communities have denounced alleged electoral fraud, demanding independent verification of the voting records, which the CNE claims is unfeasible due to a cyberattack.

The electoral results have sparked protests, which have been met with repression from security forces, resulting in over 2,220 arrests, 25 deaths, and 192 injuries.