Chaos in Venezuela after alleged election fraud, EU to Maduro: “No judicial intimidation against opposition”

Brussels – A week after the chaos triggered by the alleged fraud that reconfirmed Nicolas Maduro to power, Venezuela’s authoritarian president is tightening the grip of repression: there are already hundreds of arrests of citizens linked to the opposition, against whose leaders, Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Uturria, a criminal investigation has been opened. In the morning, the European Union called for an end to “judicial intimidation” against the opposition.

“We are seriously concerned about the actions of the Venezuelan authorities regarding the number of arbitrary detentions of political activists, opponents and continued harassment of the opposition,” European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesman Peter Stano said today (Aug. 6). Machado, a charismatic opposition leader, and González Urrutia, a presidential candidate for Platform Unity, are charged with “usurpation of functions, dissemination of false information, incitement to disobedience of laws, incitement to insurrection, and criminal association.”

The two are leading the wave of protest over the National Electoral Council’s failure to release election records due to an alleged cyber attack. Last July 28, the Chavista leader declared himself the winner with 51.4 of the vote. Still, according to counts by several independent organizations, González Urrutia would have won the overwhelming majority of votes. Even today, in a statement posted on social media, the opposition candidate asked to be declared the winner, signing the declaration as “president-elect of Venezuela.” In the message, also signed by Machado, he reiterated that he had “irrefutable” proof that he had won the July 28 presidential election, accusing the National Electoral Council (NEC) of being “controlled by ruling chavismo.”

This morning, the CNE handed over the infamous electoral records to the Supreme Court of Justice, which will set up an informational investigation that could last up to 15 days. The highest court in Caracas will summon candidates and political party leaders to register “all electoral instruments” in their possession and to “answer questions posed by this body.” Tomorrow should already be González Urrutia’s turn, while Maduro has been summoned for Friday.

Pending the outcome of the Supreme Court investigation and further developments, Brussels called on the Venezuelan authorities and security forces to “fully respect human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly.” The EU spokesman took time to address possible repercussions in relations between Caracas and Brussels: “At this stage, we have set out our positions and expectations, our appeals to the authorities. They now have a certain amount of time to act. If they don’t, the member states will discuss and review the situation to decide on the next steps,” Stano continued in response to a question about the possibility of imposing sanctions on the Maduro regime.