Protests Erupt Across Caracas After Maduro Claims Reelection
BloombergJul 15
Venezuela: At Least 11 Dead in Protests Over Maduro's Election Win
Above: A demonstrator waves a Venezuelan flag during a protest against the official results of the presidential election on July 29, 2024 in Caracas, Venezuela. Image copyright: Jesus Vargas/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
At least 11 people have reportedly died amid protests against Venezuelan Pres. Nicolás Maduro's disputed election victory on Monday.
This comes as hundreds took part in an anti-government march from Petare to Caracas while many others reached the capital city's international airport.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This mockery of an election has shown that all efforts to ensure a peaceful democratic transition for Venezuela were in vain because Maduro never really intended to carry out free and fair elections — let alone to leave power. González is the rightful president-elect, and the world's democracies must recognize that and pressure Maduro.
Establishment-critical narrative
As expected, far-right mobs in Venezuela have turned back to street violence in yet another desperate, US-backed, undemocratic attempt to overthrow Maduro after losing the popular vote. It's no coincidence that a company closely linked to Washington and the opposition was responsible for exit polls suggesting outcomes far from the official results.