March in Caracas: Venezuelan opposition keeps its spirits up on the streets in the face of Chavista repression

The Venezuelan opposition has kept the streets agitated this Wednesday, in an atmosphere of Chavismo grip and repression. A month after the presidential elections of July 28, the followers of María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia have united once again to demonstrate that they refuse to back down and resign, despite an active police and judicial blockade by the government of Nicolás Maduro. The motto of the call, “Acta mata sentence”, summarizes the spirit of their demand, in reference to the Supreme Court ruling, which validated the results announced by the National Electoral Council. Data that give Maduro the victory, but tainted by suspicions of fraud, since the authorities have refused to show them despite the fact that the minutes collected and published by the opposition confirm the opposite.

The rally comes at a time when Chavismo, which has also called on its militants to march to claim victory, is trying to corner the opposition leadership more and more. Following the march, the arrest of Biagio Pillieri, one of Maria Corina Machado’s closest aides in recent months, and the harassment of Juan Pablo Guanipa, another leader who has been with Machado since July 28, were reported. In addition, Perkins Rocha, a lawyer and close aide of the opposition leader, was also arrested recently.

In the Chacao municipality, about a thousand people gathered on Francisco de Miranda Avenue in Caracas, much smaller than previous concentrations and which, however, represent a significant concentration amid a wave of intimidation and arrests in recent weeks. Unperturbed by the heavy police presence, Machado joined the march and addressed her followers. “The government intends that the world recognize this farce,” she said from a truck that served as a stage, referring to the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ). “It backfired on them, because they believed that with that decision, which cannot even be called a conviction, they were going to deceive some countries.”

The opposition leader assured that his movement has progressed in a month with the support of democratic countries. “This month, we will turn the issue of Venezuela’s independence into a global issue, a global issue. No democratic government in the world has recognized Maduro’s fraud. Not one. “Excellent.”

Machado has also repeated the word resistance to describe the post-election phase. “We have to take care of ourselves to be able to finish our job,” she shouted to her followers. The truck she traveled in during the campaign and rallies was confiscated by police after an event in Caracas two weeks ago; the leader did not visit the city again before arriving at the rally site a month later.

Among those present was one of the leaders of Vente Venezuela—María Corina Machado’s party—in El Valle, who recalled that it had also been a month since two young people from his community were killed by armed government shock groups, two of the 24 deaths caused by the repression of protests against the electoral results. “I came without a flag or anything, I hardly leave the house because I’m being persecuted and threatened,” the 78-year-old said. Another of those present was Arnoldo Benítez, 71, teacher and leader of the leftist party La Causa R, from which he has fought for the rights of retirees. “Here we are scared, but we are in the resistance,” said the man holding a sign with copies of the voting record. He is confident that by January 10, 2025, when the transfer of the presidency will be established, González Urrutia will be able to arrive in Miraflores.

“Today we are here not to support Maria Corina, but to support ourselves, that we must be here together to defend what we voted for on July 28,” says Maria José de Castro, a 61-year-old pastry chef who is now dedicated to the democratic struggle. That’s why he carried a banner that read, “We are not the opposition, we are the government.” He remembers that in the 2017 demonstrations, he stood in front of a tank to prevent it from moving against those protesting, after the opposition won the elections thanks to a Supreme Court measure to cancel the functioning of parliament. “We are in the most difficult phase because they don’t want to deliver results. You have to go out on the street no matter what. I’m not afraid.”

Opposition leader María Corina Machado appeared with other opponents at the rally convened on July 28, a month before the presidential election. In a van, and accompanied by Delsa Solórzano, Juan Pablo Guanipa and other leaders, she went to Francisco de Miranda Avenue in the Venezuelan capital. Former opposition candidate Edmundo González did not attend the march. Since the first major call after the election, on July 30, the diplomat has not been seen in public again, and this week he was summoned twice by the prosecutor’s office on other charges, including conspiracy.

However, González has also addressed the country with a message on his X account, “Venezuelans, we are making history. A month ago we demonstrated that sovereignty lies non-transferably in our vote. “We have made clear to the world the truth of what happened: the Venezuelan people have won overwhelmingly!” He explained. It also speaks of the price that the last few weeks have had on the democratic sectors of the country. “I know these last 30 days have been difficult, but they have also been a test of our unity and determination. With each passing day, our voice grows stronger and our fight grows stronger. Venezuelans decided to change peacefully and live a better life, we will respect their will. “We are going to achieve an orderly transition, peacefully and with guarantees for all, because the truth will prevail.”

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