(StraightShooterNews.com) – Following accusations that he rigged last week’s election to stay in office, Venezuelan thug President Nicolás Maduro is tightening his grip on power by arresting about 2,000 protesters.
On Thursday, the United States endorsed Edmundo González, the opposition candidate, declaring him the rightful winner and challenging the official vote count.
Venezuela’s election authority had earlier named Maduro the victor on July 29.
However, shortly after, the primary opposition coalition countered this declaration and presented evidence from over two-thirds of the voting machine printouts that they showed inconsistencies.
Visibly agitated, Maduro has called for González’s imprisonment and reported the arrest of 2,000 demonstrators.
He threatened detainees with 30-year terms in maximum-security facilities, a punishment typically reserved for murderers.
Additionally, the national journalists’ union reported that at least 14 media personnel have been expelled from the country.
At a recent rally in Caracas, Maduro vowed to continue the arrests, marking this as the most severe suppression during his 11-year tenure.
Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Americas Program Director Ryan Berg commented, “Maduro has miscalculated — badly.”
He added, “In order to remain in power, Maduro has moved the country in the direction of Nicaragua, which is a total police state.”
Maduro’s main competitors, González and the highly popular María Corina Machado, are now reportedly at risk of being arrested soon.
Both were believed to be in hiding, but Machado made a surprise appearance at a rally on Saturday morning, boosting her supporters’ spirits.
“It’s one thing when you imagine your vote stolen. It was a possibility. But seeing the robbery in front of our eyes is another complete different thing,” said 64-year-old María Gomez, a secretary from the impoverished area of Petare.
During a press conference on Saturday, an enraged Maduro lashed out at domestic and international critics.
“Do not insist on your agenda of bringing a war to Venezuela, as you did with Afghanistan,” he declared.
“You are responsible for the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in Libya, and for death, the international media,” he stated.
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