The streets of Venezuela are fraught with tension as President Nicolás Maduro's government intensifies efforts to quash dissent ahead of his inauguration, scheduled for Friday. Over 2,000 individuals have been detained in less than a week, marking a significant crackdown on opposition forces and perceived threats to Maduro's regime. This comes as electoral authorities proclaimed opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of the presidential election, a result contested by the government.
Venezuela's opposition has published thousands of voting tallies, asserting that Gonzalez secured 67% of the vote compared to Maduro's 30%. However, the government has dismissed these claims, maintaining a firm grip on power. In response to the mounting dissent, Maduro has ramped up public appearances and displayed a show of force across the nation. Human rights advocates report that dozens of people, including a former presidential candidate, have been detained, adding to the climate of fear and uncertainty.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello revealed that at least 125 people from 25 different nationalities have been detained on similar charges. In a move further isolating Venezuela from its neighbors, the government has banned a group of Latin American leaders from entering the country. Social media reflects the prevailing anxiety, with posts such as a video from Venezuela's military counterintelligence agency depicting a hand knocking on a door in the dead of night.
Nathaly, a mother whose teenage son was detained on August 2 during a crackdown on protests, voiced her fears about the oppressive atmosphere. She requested to use a pseudonym when speaking with CNN due to restrictions imposed as part of her son's release conditions.
“It was like my soul came back to my body: every step we walked, I was feeling lighter,” she recounted. “He did nothing wrong; he was just walking the streets… When he got out, he had lost 19 kilograms, and from that moment I never lost sight of him… I’m just terrified if they did it once, they can do it again…” Nathaly added.
“Every mother in Venezuela holds the same fear: don’t take away our children,” Nathaly expressed.
The government accuses Edmundo Gonzalez of plotting to assassinate Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, yet has provided no evidence to substantiate claims of any destabilizing plot. Despite these accusations, Gonzalez continues an international tour, seeking support for what he claims is his legitimate presidency.
“It’s not normal to have military counterintelligence, and not just the police, manning the checkpoints on the road to the airport… Driving around and you suddenly are stopped by men in balaclavas with an AK-47 asking to see your ID,” Gonzalez stated.
The Venezuelan government has placed a $100,000 bounty on Gonzalez's head, further escalating tensions. Meanwhile, Nahuel Gallo, an Argentinian policeman detained late last year in Venezuela, remains in custody without clear charges.
Human rights activists have raised alarms over reported detentions and disappearances. Laura Dib commented on the situation.
“Correa is a veteran of human rights activism in Venezuela; he’s a reference for the entire human rights movement. His reported detention and forced disappearance are very serious because it foresees the repressive response the Government is mounting ahead of Friday’s inauguration,” Dib said.
The fear gripping Venezuelans extends beyond individual families. A Latin American diplomat highlighted the pervasive anxiety enveloping the nation.
“If you need one word to describe Venezuela these days, it would be fearful,” the diplomat remarked.
Opposition leaders and citizens alike express apprehension about the unknown developments leading up to Maduro's inauguration. Maria Corina Machado voiced her uncertainty regarding participation in potential protests.
“Personally, I haven’t decided if I’ll go out on Thursday or not; we need to see what happens,” Machado stated.
In Aragua, an opposition leader shared concerns about heightened security measures.
“One tries not to be paranoid, but you go to the streets, and you see so many policemen, so many of them looking for you; it’s hard to remain calm,” he said.
An anonymous diplomat underscored the government's stance on dissent.
“Showing they are not going to tolerate any dissent, and people are scared,” the diplomat observed.
