On Tuesday, a group of masked individuals affiliated with Nicolás Maduro’s regime took control of public transport vehicles carrying opposition supporters in San Fernando. This incident aimed to prevent them from attending an event led by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia in Maracaibo.
The situation was documented by locals and passengers, who bravely captured the events on video. Footage showed a yellow bus being approached by the assailants and later driving off without its passengers, escorted by several motorcycles from the same group.
Soon after, a video emerged of a woman onboard the bus explaining that pro-government individuals were blocking the road in San Francisco, forcibly making people disembark. She voiced her frustration, stating, “They won’t let us continue; they’ve taken the buses. The Venezuelan dictatorship… the Venezuelan dictatorship!”
This exchange occurred just before Machado and González Urrutia were scheduled to address a major rally in Maracaibo, a stronghold for the opposition in the Zulia state. Earlier that day, Machado encountered similar obstacles while traveling in her convoy, which was halted by government forces. Fortunately, local residents rallied to her side, escorting her with flags and signs into the city.
Meanwhile, the candidate from the Democratic Unitary Platform arrived by air and was warmly received by a group of supporters. Zulia is considered a critical region, being the most important electoral circuit in the country, and a strong showing here could significantly impact the opposition’s chances of success.
Later in the day, Machado’s campaign team reported that unidentified security personnel detained six individuals contracted to help with the event. These individuals were in two trucks carrying sound equipment, which authorities seized.
This event is one of the last campaign activities before the elections on Sunday, where the opposition hopes to challenge Maduro’s regime. Political leader Delsa Solórzano, a key figure in the opposition’s electoral strategy, outlined efforts to ensure transparency at the polls.
According to Solórzano, citizens are urged to participate in audits of the voting process, emphasizing their right to oversee the counting of votes to ensure that the people’s will is honored when the ballots are closed. “Typically, people do not stay for the counting. This time, they will exercise their right to open the boxes and count the votes, as dictated by Venezuelan law,” she explained.
Additionally, there is a focus on protecting polling station witnesses, who might face intimidation or deprivation of essential needs as retaliation for their opposition.
“We are preparing everything needed to ensure a victory that is already visible in the streets. It is challenging to face the regime and endure constant harassment and persecution… This task is far from easy, but it’s worth it,” she concluded.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/venezuela/2024/07/23/un-grupo-afin-a-maduro-secuestro-un-omnibus-en-el-estado-de-zulia-y-detuvo-a-seis-activistas-opositores/
