Caracas, Aug 4 (UNI) Venezuelan law enforcers have arrested over 2,000 protesters amid mass unrest that started following the recent presidential election, and they will be held in two top security prisons, President Nicolas Maduro said in a statement.
On July 29, following the recent presidential election, mass opposition protests sparked in Venezuela, with some activists clashing with the police and committing acts of vandalism. The Venezuelan opposition believes that its candidate won the election by a landslide. Maduro said on July 31 that over 1,200 people had been detained since the protests started. They are accused of destruction of state infrastructure, incitement of hatred and terrorism.
“They thought their criminal attacks, ambushes, guarimbas [violent riots] will continue again for 60 days, 120 days [as during mass protests in 2014 and 2017], that was what they expected. But in 48 hours, thanks to the response of the military-civilian police union, we dealt with the fascist spark, with help of the constitution and in a peaceful way. We have 2,000 detainees, they will be sent to Tocoron and Tocuyito [top security prisons]. With a maximum sentence. Justice. This time there will be no forgiveness,” Maduro said in a speech at a rally in front of the presidential palace.
The detainees have “left evidence with the videos they were shooting,” the president said, adding that 80% of those who took part in the violent activities, who put on fire electoral units and regional departments of the National Electoral Council, have already been taken to custody.
A presidential election in Venezuela was held on July 28. The next day the National Electoral Council declared Nicolas Maduro, who secured over 51% of the vote, the winner. The Venezuelan opposition claims a landslide victory in the election, citing tally sheets they obtained from polling centers nationwide.
US and European lawmakers in charge of foreign affairs issued a joint statement on Friday saying opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez won Venezuela’s presidential election and vowing to hold Maduro accountable if he refuses to relinquish power.
Moscow said the Venezuelan opposition must admit defeat in the election. In addition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned third countries against supporting attempts to destabilize the situation inside Venezuela.
