Venezuelan singer Nacho Mendoza has broken his silence, urging the military forces in his country not to attack citizens who are merely demanding their rights and seeking the truth following the presidential election results. In a video posted on Instagram, the artist condemned police violence: "From the bottom of my heart, I ask, along with millions of Venezuelans, that the uniformed bodies and citizen control forces of this country do not attack the people."
He continued, "Especially not to uphold the mandate of indifferent leaders who abuse their power, which you yourselves have granted them. No influential voice has called for riots or confrontations, precisely because past experiences have taught us the responsibility that comes with calling for action."
Nacho emphasized that people must "value themselves more than ranks and insignias, ideology, and the hunger for power. We must not turn Venezuela into a war-torn country."
"Those who are in the streets have come out of their own accord, out of indignation, out of disbelief in results that many of us have the right to question as fraudulent," he added. "Lives are starting to be lost again, with parents grieving the deaths of their loved ones, their children," he lamented, referring to the reported fatalities.
The political climate in Venezuela has grown increasingly tense following the proclamation of Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the presidential elections, a decision vehemently rejected by the opposition.
On July 29, the National Electoral Council, a chavista authority, announced Maduro's re-election, a result that immediately sparked protests and was denounced by the opposition and a significant portion of the population. Opposition leader María Corina Machado spoke at a press conference, asserting that the true winner was Edmundo González: "We have proof of the truth."
The opposition's count shows that Nicolás Maduro received 2,759,256 votes, while González garnered 6,275,182 votes, winning in every state that makes up the South American nation.
Key Questions About Venezuela's Political Crisis
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the current political situation in Venezuela.
What did Nacho Mendoza say about the military and police forces in Venezuela?
Nacho Mendoza urged the military and police not to attack the people, emphasizing that citizens are merely demanding their rights and seeking the truth.
What was the response to Nicolás Maduro's re-election announcement?
The announcement of Nicolás Maduro's re-election was met with immediate protests and strong rejection from the opposition and a significant part of the Venezuelan population.
Who did the opposition claim was the true winner of the presidential election?
Opposition leader María Corina Machado claimed that Edmundo González was the true winner of the presidential election, citing evidence to support this assertion.