Two years later, Venezuela opposition demands new presidential vote in fresh protest
Key Takeaways
- Hundreds marched in Caracas to mark two years since the disputed election.
- Protesters demanded a new presidential election timetable.
- Opposition leaders said they would closely monitor upcoming political talks.
Supporters of María Corina Machado marched through Caracas, demanding a new election timetable and warning they would closely watch upcoming political talks.
Around 300 Venezuelan opposition supporters marched through Caracas on Tuesday to mark two years since the disputed presidential election of July 28, 2024.
Demonstrators carrying Venezuelan flags and banners marched through the capital, calling for a clear timetable for a new presidential election and the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado from exile.
The protest was organised by Vente Venezuela, Machado's political party, ahead of a new round of US-backed talks scheduled to begin on August 1 between Venezuela's interim government and a group of former opposition lawmakers.
Vente Venezuela spokesperson Henry Alviarez said the opposition would closely monitor the negotiations.
"People are going to be watching the things he does. Mr Jorge Rodriguez should not think that he is going to do whatever he wants and that he is going to use this space to once again mock the Venezuelan people. No, Mr Jorge," he said.
The talks are expected to bring together Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Chavista-controlled National Assembly, and Dinorah Figuera.
The opposition demonstration coincided with celebrations organised by the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela to mark what would have been the 72nd birthday of former president Hugo Chávez.
Calls for a new presidential election have intensified since the constitutional deadline for Delcy Rodríguez's temporary presidency expired.
Rodríguez assumed office after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a military operation in Caracas on January 3.
Maduro is currently being held in New York, where he is awaiting trial on federal drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
