Venezuela: protests in Caracas neighbourhoods against Maduro’s re-election

Hundreds of people protest this Monday in popular neighborhoods of Caracas against the questionable re-election of the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, AFP journalists confirmed.

“And it will fall, and it will fall, this government will fall!” protesters shouted under the rain in the huge Petare slum, the largest in Caracas. “Let him hand over power now!”others exclaimed.

The slogans were replaced by “Freedom, freedom!”, which characterized the opposition campaign, which rejected Maduro’s re-election and denounced fraud.

Several countries, including the United States, Brazil and Colombia, also questioned the election.

The protesters – mostly young people – also burned posters with the face of Ripe to promote their candidacy. They carry flags, pots and pans and drums to accompany the cries of protest.

“We closed the businesses and started protesting, we feel disappointed, this does not reflect reality, we voted against Nicolás”said angrily Carolina Rojas, a 21-year-old merchant.

“We left because there was fraud,” said another protester who only identified himself as David, 40. “They are calling the Army but we have to protest.”

In Catia, another popular sector on the other side of the city, another demonstration was recorded, closely monitored by police and riot police from the National Guard.

The protests began in the morning and became more intense throughout the day.

In parallel, Maduro was officially proclaimed by the National Electoral Councilfrom the official line. According to the first bulletin, Maduro won with 51% of the votes against Edmundo González, candidate of the main opposition coalition in Venezuela, with 44%.

“Let no one try to mess up (disorder) the country (…) peace for Venezuela,” Maduro, in power since 2013, warned of a “bloodbath” if the opposition wins.