The number two of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and head of the Interior and Justice, Diosdado Cabello, said this Sunday that opposition sectors should “work” together with Chavismo, which – he noted – will celebrate 26 years in power and, As he added, “many more are missing.”
“The opposition sectors continue to waste him (Maduro), I think it is not good business for them, they should begin to recognize once and for all that the president of all Venezuelans elected by this people is Nicolás Maduro Moros and come to work with us” Cabello stated in an event in Caracas broadcast by the state channel VTV.
On Friday, Maduro was sworn in as president for a third consecutive six-year term, in view of his controversial re-election on July 28 proclaimed by the electoral body, which has not yet published the breakdown of the voting results, contrary to what is established in the official schedule. approved for this process.
The largest opposition coalition – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – accuses Maduro of carrying out a “coup d’état”, by ensuring that its leader, the former ambassador, is the winner of those elections, a claim that he bases on 85.18 % of the electoral records that he claims to have gathered thanks to witnesses and polling station members.
For his part, Cabello said this Sunday that the investiture of the Chavista leader was celebrated “in peace”, while “they” – without mentioning names – “were betting on war”, “violence” and “terrorism”.
The official led the inauguration, in a square in Caracas, of a photographic exhibition on Maduro’s presidential campaign, with 80 images of the 230 included in a book, according to official information.
Cabello, who pointed out that February 2 marks the 26th anniversary of Hugo Chávez’s arrival to the Presidency, expressed that the photographic exhibition is “the testimony” of a Venezuela that “has not given up” despite the “difficulties” and to the “viciousness” – he added – of “imperialism and all its lackeys” against the Caribbean country.
Maduro’s controversial third term is also not recognized by a large part of the international community, including the United States, the European Union (EU) and Latin American countries such as Peru and Paraguay, which denied legitimacy to the Chavista takeover.
repressive wave
The Venezuelan NGO Foro Penal assured this Sunday that since January 1, 2025 it has registered 83 “political” arrests in the country, including those of a foreigner, a teenager and thirteen women. According to the balance of “political detainees in Venezuela” so far this year, the vast majority of arrests occurred last Thursday when the majority opposition – grouped in the Democratic Unitary Platform – protested in Caracas and several cities in the country and the world. in defense of Urrutia’s claimed victory in the elections.
Last January 9, when there were 46 “political” imprisonments, according to the non-governmental organization, Chavismo also mobilized, but in support of its leader, Maduro, who on Friday was sworn in as president for a third consecutive six-year term, which PUD, González Urrutia and the opposition leader denounced the consummation of a “coup d’état.”
Foro Penal noted that the second day with the most arrests was January 7, with 17, including that of activist Carlos Correa, whose whereabouts have been unknown since then, former opposition presidential candidate Enrique Márquez and Rafael Tudares, son-in-law of González Urrutia. , who described the event as a “kidnapping.”
On the other hand, 18 of the arrests were in the state of Zulia (northwest, bordering Colombia), where the highest number was recorded, followed by Trujillo, with 14, and Caracas, with 10.
On Saturday, Machado warned of recent arrests, including those of several collaborators of his party, Vente Venezuela (VV), by “Maduro’s repressive forces.” In
Also on Saturday, the University Council of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), the country’s main university, denounced a “campaign of intimidation through illegal selective arrests that police agencies have undertaken with renewed intensity” against “citizen defenders of human rights.” or who are peacefully protesting for reliable election results.
The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, expressed on Wednesday his “deep concern” about the “arbitrary detention and persecution” of opponents and their families in the Caribbean country, and the European Union (EU) that same day urged the release “immediate” release of all “political prisoners” in Venezuela.
President Maduro’s inauguration left his opponents grappling with mixed feelings of hope and disappointment, wondering why the self-styled socialist leader could not be detained despite credible evidence that he had lost last year’s election. There is not even a public record that confirms his victory.
Venezuela is still experiencing an emotional hangover, between longing and abandonment. Many expressed cautious optimism, finding some solace in social media videos posted by opposition leaders, who had vowed to topple Maduro.
“In the end, it seems as if the soup has gone cold,” said university professor Nelson Pérez. “We’ve been talking for a while about not losing hope… but then you realize it’s more of the same.”
That realization is difficult to process for millions of Venezuelans who, like Pérez, had imagined a different January 10: one with González receiving the presidential sash and Machado giving one of his characteristic impassioned speeches before the National Assembly.
Instead, González and Machado sent messages on social media as Maduro placed his hand on Venezuela’s Constitution and took the oath, defying overwhelming evidence contradicting his claim of victory in the July presidential election. It is assumed that at some point the former ambassador will try to return to the country and take the oath of office and has even “ordered” the Army to take his side, an appeal that has had no effect. The Armed Forces continue to be, after the crucial January 10, a pillar of Maduro.
