The United States, the European Union, and several countries have united to condemn the repression of protesters in Venezuela, demanding the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained following the controversial presidential elections on July 28. The joint statement emphasizes the need for respect for democratic principles, human rights, and the right to peaceful demonstration. This comes as opposition leader María Corina Machado calls for nationwide protests to support the true electoral victor, Edmundo González Urrutia.
In response to calls for new elections from Brazil and Colombia, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has firmly rejected the proposal, asserting that the resolution of conflicts must occur internally within Venezuela. Maduro's administration faces scrutiny over the legitimacy of the electoral process, with the opposition claiming significant victories that contradict the official results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE). International leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have expressed support for the idea of new elections, but the White House later clarified that Biden was questioning the transparency of the electoral process.
