Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have rejected Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration, labeling it a fraudulent event. The opposition claims Edmundo González Urrutia won the presidency, while Maduro’s electoral authority reports he received 52% of the votes. The ADD vows to work with the international community for a democratic transition, amidst rising concerns over human rights violations in Venezuela.
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have formally denounced the inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro for a third term, deeming the event an illegitimate result of fraudulent elections. The countries, part of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), expressed their disapproval in a strong statement, citing the electoral fraud enforced through state terror against the Venezuelan populace. Maduro, who has held the presidency since 2013, assumed office amidst widespread criticism from the United States, the European Union, and multiple Latin American nations.
The opposition, led by Edmundo González Urrutia, alleges that he won the presidential election held in July, labeling Maduro’s inauguration as a coup d’état. González, who is currently in exile, claims, “He crowns himself dictator.” The ADD asserts that there is substantial evidence indicating a peaceful and massive support for González among voters. Although the Venezuelan electoral authority declared Maduro the victor with 52% of the votes, it has yet to provide a detailed count mandated by law. The opposition contends that González secured approximately 70% of the vote.
The ADD has committed to collaborating with the international community to facilitate a democratic transition in Venezuela, seeking to conclude the ongoing period marked by oppression and systemic human rights violations. Alfredo Romero, president of the NGO Foro Penal, reported that since the beginning of the year, there have been 49 politically motivated arrests in Venezuela. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern regarding the situation in Venezuela and has called for the release of all individuals arbitrarily detained.
The article centers on the contentious political atmosphere in Venezuela, focusing on Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration and the reactions it has incited from neighboring countries in Latin America. This inauguration is viewed by various international entities and local opposition groups as a culmination of electoral fraud, with the ADD vehemently opposing Maduro’s claim to power. The opposition has raised significant concerns regarding electoral integrity and human rights abuses in Venezuela, drawing attention from global leaders and organizations. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle for democracy within the region, as well as the deteriorating human rights conditions under Maduro’s administration.
In summary, the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro has been met with strong opposition from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, all of whom reject the event as a result of electoral fraud. The opposition claims that the elections were manipulated and calls for a democratic transition in Venezuela. International concern continues to rise regarding human rights abuses and the political climate in Venezuela, emphasizing the dire need for sustained pressure from the global community to restore democracy and human rights in the country.
Original Source: ticotimes.net