Intimidate & Interfere: Tightening His Grip on the People
What does Maduro know about fair elections? He continues to arrest opposition supporters!!
More than 70 Venezuela Opposition activists and supporters have been arrested in less than two weeks while they continue to their campaigning in the lead up to the country’s highly anticipated Presidential elections. Another clear demonstration that the Nicolas Maduro led government is not one that will follows the rules but it also indicates that the administration must be feeling threatened by the very clear lead the united opposition has taken in most polls.
Machado and Gonzalez at rally - Washington Post photo
Several international agencies have been monitoring the arrests which began earlier this year with Opposition primary winner, Maria Corina Machado, who has since been banned from running in the July 28 election. Despite this a leader was found in former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who is now Venezuela’s great hope. Mr Gonzalez continues to receive strong support from Ms Machado in the lead up to the election. But Maduro and all his men continue to harass the good people of Venezuela who only want change and a chance at a return to peace and prosperity for the country.
Foro Penal and Justica, one organization that has been monitoring the detainments reported that the total number of arrests is 102 for this year with about 70 people being released after being some time in custody.
Meanwhile, a legal aide for the opposition’s campaign confirmed that eight more persons were arrested in recent days. According to the aide six men and two women working for the Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia campaign, including the owner of a truck Mr. González Urrutia rode in. The owner of the vehicle has blamed the Maduro government for the detentions, saying the "harassment is not having an effect" and that the opposition will prevail at the polls.
Machado and Gonzalez at rally - El Pais photo
Meanwhile on the Guyana side we will continue to follow the Maduro and his allies because we know they cannot be trusted to keep their word when past acts of aggression are considered. We can also note more recently Maduro’s decision to disinvite the European Union from observing the upcoming election. This is after agreeing to have international observers for the election so that the United States would in turn lift sanctions against Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.
Essequibo belongs to Guyana and we will continue to keep watch for signs of Maduro’s schemes even as he and his people wreak havoc on their own people and country.
