Venezuelan opposition leader joins protests amid election controversy

“Just as it took us a long time to achieve electoral victory, now comes a stage that we take day by day, but we have never been as strong as today, never,” Machado declared to the crowd.

The election results announced by Venezuela’s electoral authority, which is criticized for its bias towards the ruling socialist government, declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote.

Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez received 46% vote, a margin confirmed again on Friday.

The announcement has ignited widespread allegations of electoral fraud and sparked protests across the country.

Security forces have responded with a crackdown, and the Maduro administration has labeled the unrest as part of an attempted US-backed coup.

The violence has resulted in at least 20 deaths and around 1,200 arrests, according to Human Rights Watch and government sources.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado waves a national flag during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP photo)

In addition to Caracas, demonstrations took place in Valencia, Maracaibo, and San Cristobal. “I am happy because I am here with Maria Corina, supporting Venezuela to escape this terrible injustice,” said Yamilet Rondon, 42, waving a Venezuelan flag in Caracas.

Susana Martinez, a preschool teacher in Valencia, expressed her mixed emotions, “I came to this march with some fear, with fear of the repression we’ve seen, but it is our struggle.”

Pro-Maduro marches are expected to begin later, with some supporters already taking to the streets.

Alfredo Valera, president of Venezuela’s Fontur union, joined a pro-government caravan in Caracas, asserting, “Today we are here heeding the call of our president to defend democracy.”

The Organization of American States has called for peace and condemned the violence, urging no more political prisoners or torture.

Meanwhile, several countries, including the US, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay, have recognized Gonzalez as the election’s legitimate winner.

In contrast, Russia, China, and Cuba have congratulated Maduro.

(With inputs from Reuters)