Trouble breaks out in Venezuela

Protesters are chanting anti-government slogans, accusing the authorities of rigging the election results

Protests and clashes with police are taking place in downtown Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, according to a live broadcast on the Noticias Telemundo TV channel.

The protests largely involve honking bikers who have actually blocked traffic in the city center.

A group of young men attacked police officers outside Marriott hotel where international observers who monitored the recent presidential election are staying. Additional police patrols were sent to the area.

Protesters are chanting anti-government slogans, accusing the authorities of rigging the election results.

Venezuela held its presidential election on July 28. According to the National Electoral Council, with 80% of ballots counted, incumbent head of state Maduro received 51.2% of the vote. His main opponent Edmundo Gonzalez, who represented far-right parties, garnered 44.2%. Corina Machado, one of the opposition’s leaders, refused to recognize the election’s outcome, declaring Gonzalez the winner.

However Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Claudio Fermin has recognized the re-election of the country’s President Nicolas Maduro.

“I recognize Nicolas Maduro’s victory in the presidential election,” Fermin, who was nominated by the Soluciones para Venezuela (or Solutions for Venezuela) party, said in a video address posted on the X social media platform.

He also called on the National Electoral Council to publish results from every polling station “in order to ensure election transparency, peace and tranquillity.” According to the politician, this is what needs to be done to ensure the country’s development and prevent “an endless conflict.”