BTN News: Hundreds of Venezuelans gathered in Panama City to protest the re-election of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. About 200 people came together to show their support for opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. They believe he is the true winner of the recent presidential elections, with backing from María Corina Machado.
The protest took place in Parque Urracá, which is near the bay in Panama City. The protestors shouted, “¡Viva Venezuela libre!” and “Hasta el final” while the Venezuelan national anthem played. People held signs and banners. Barbara Zapata, a 20-year-old classical dancer, held a sign that said, “Siéntanse orgullosos, vamos hasta el final.” She had her face painted like a Catrina and the Venezuelan flag painted on her chest. Barbara expressed the feelings of many by saying, “Nos encontramos todos los venezolanos con el país secuestrado por dirigentes políticos que, la verdad, no sirven para absolutamente nada.” She knew tough times were ahead but believed they would get through it, saying, “Vienen horas muy difíciles,” and adding, “Saldremos de Maduro esta vez.”
Another protester, Daniela Valderrama, who is 42 and works at a solar panel company, said, “Ya está súper claro de que las elecciones fueron robadas.” She called for help to remove the current leaders but did not want innocent people to get hurt, saying, “Que no hayan muertos inocentes en el proceso.”
The Venezuelan community in Panama has shrunk from over 125,000 before the pandemic to about 60,000 now, according to Rafael Rodríguez, who leads the Association of Naturalized Residents of Panama. Many Venezuelans have left due to the difficult conditions in their country. In 2024, about 150,000 Venezuelans crossed the Darién Gap, heading for the United States. This number is expected to grow after Maduro’s controversial win.
Rafael Rodríguez explained, “Muchísima gente que se mantenía en Venezuela esperanzado por un cambio van a salir en éxodo hacia Estados Unidos cruzando la frontera de Panamá.” Daniel Hawrylak, a 39-year-old restaurant manager, agreed, saying that if Maduro stays in power, it will cause more people to leave Venezuela.
Panama has stopped air connections with Venezuela because it does not recognize Maduro’s victory. During the protest, people shouted, “Se ve, se siente, Edmundo presidente,” and, “¿Y qué queremos? ¡Libertad!” Meanwhile, some passersby, refreshment vendors, and a few police officers looked on without much interest.
These protests are part of a larger reaction to what many see as a fraudulent election in Venezuela. This unrest has led to at least 11 deaths and over 1,000 people being arrested. The international community is paying close attention, and many are calling for justice and a return to democracy in Venezuela.
In short, the protests in Panama show the strong feelings of Venezuelans who have left their country. They are united against a government they believe is not legitimate. They hope for freedom and democratic change in Venezuela. The Venezuelan community is asking for international help and support to resolve the crisis. They want a future where democracy is restored, and human rights are respected.
