Venezuela’s opposition is protesting on Wednesday, one month after the controversial re-election of President Nicolas Maduro, who has reinforced his cabinet with a strongman in charge of public order.
Maduro was proclaimed re-elected for a third six-year term in the presidential elections of July 28, which the opposition led by María Corina Machado denounces as fraudulent and claims to have evidence showing that its candidate Edmundo González Urrutia was the winner of the contest.
“A month after our glorious victory on July 28, Venezuelans have united, inside and outside our country, and we shout with vigor,” wrote Machado in X, who went into hiding although he is expected to participate as in two previous rallies.
The prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal investigation against both men, while Maduro is calling for their imprisonment. He holds them responsible for the violence in the post-election protests, which left 27 dead – two of them soldiers -, almost 200 injured and more than 2,400 arrested.
Chavismo also called for a mobilization on Wednesday to “celebrate” Maduro’s victory, which has not been recognized by the United States, the European Union and several countries in the region.
Caracas woke up to a scene with some avenues closed and riot squads in the presence, AFP noted.
The protests took place one day after Maduro appointed Diosdado Cabello, considered the number two in the Chavista movement and a hardliner, to head the Interior Ministry, responsible for police and public order.
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Cabello takes over the post 22 years after serving in the government during the government of the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez, of whom he was a comrade in arms in the failed coup d’état of 1992.
Maduro renewed half of his cabinet, including the strategic oil portfolio, now in the hands of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who will perform both functions. General Vladimir Padrino, Minister of Defense since 2014, was confirmed in his post.