Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has recently called for negotiations with President Nicolás Maduro amidst a post-electoral crisis marked by widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud. The National Assembly, controlled by Maduro's government, is pushing through a series of controversial laws that critics label as repressive, further escalating tensions in the country.
The opposition claims that the electoral council's (CNE) declaration of Maduro's victory lacks transparency, as they have not published the detailed voting records. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, may have actually received more votes than Maduro, sparking ongoing demonstrations and a violent crackdown by authorities.
As the government seeks to tighten its grip on power, laws targeting social media and non-governmental organizations are being proposed, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the right to assembly. Maduro's administration is also accused of using these laws to silence dissent and maintain control over the narrative surrounding the electoral process.
