BTN News: The Organization of American States (OAS) issued a call for peace among Venezuelans protesting in several cities across the country. These demonstrations were organized by the main opposition coalition following the electoral results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which declared President Nicolás Maduro as the victor in the recent presidential election held last Sunday.
In a heartfelt plea, the OAS emphasized the importance of peaceful expression and democratic coexistence. “May every Venezuelan who takes to the streets today find only an echo of peace, a peace that reflects the spirit of democratic coexistence, the only lasting peace,” stated the OAS communiqué. The organization strongly urged the cessation of political imprisonments, torture, disappearances, and killings, underscoring that Venezuela deserves a return to prosperity and the recognition of its people’s sovereignty.
The electoral outcome, which saw the CNE declaring Nicolás Maduro the winner with over 51% of the votes, has been widely deemed fraudulent by the major opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), and various international entities. In response, the opposition has published its own tally on a dedicated website, suggesting a decisive victory for their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia. González Urrutia has the backing of opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado, who was barred from participating in the election.
Machado, in a letter to the Wall Street Journal, condemned Maduro’s “brutal repression” against post-election protests, reporting 20 deaths, 1,000 detentions, and 11 forced disappearances by state security forces. Her denunciation highlights the severe crackdown on dissent and the urgent need for international attention and intervention to safeguard democratic principles and human rights in Venezuela.
As the political crisis deepens, the OAS’s call for peace resonates with the desperate need for dialogue and reconciliation in Venezuela. The international community watches closely, as the country stands at a crossroads, grappling with the twin challenges of political legitimacy and social stability. The path forward must be paved with respect for democratic values, human rights, and the collective will of the Venezuelan people.
