In a recent revelation that has sent shockwaves through the international community, a member of Venezuela's electoral council, Juan Carlos Delpino, has publicly stated that he has seen no evidence to support President Nicols Maduro's claim of victory in the country's election.
This marks the first significant criticism from within the electoral system itself since the controversial July 28 vote.
According to Hot Air, Delpino, an opposition member of the government body that announced Maduro's win, has stated on record that he "had not received any evidence" that Maduro won a majority of the vote. This comes amidst widespread skepticism and disbelief from governments around the world regarding Maduro's proclaimed victory. The electoral body and Maduro himself have yet to release any tallies to substantiate the president's claim of re-election. In contrast, the opposition has released receipts from thousands of voting machines, indicating that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzlez, won by a significant majority.
However, the grim reality is that these revelations may not alter the course of events. Maduro appears to be muscling his way back into office through a combination of deception and intimidation. His security forces have reportedly visited hundreds of people in a campaign he has ominously dubbed "Operation Knock Knock."
The chilling details of this operation have begun to emerge. In the early hours of August 1, members of Venezuelas secret police, the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin), stormed into the home of Aixa Daniela Boada Lpez, a 19-year-old law student. Witnesses report that the agents, clad in black, smashed their way into the house, brandishing guns and a picture of Lpez. Despite attempts by neighbors to intervene, Lpez was forcibly taken away.
This incident is not an isolated one. As part of this crackdown, as many as 1,600 people are believed to be in jail, including dozens of teenagers who have been detained without any communication with their parents. The Washington Post reported a harrowing account of a 15-year-old boy who was brutally beaten by officers until he revealed the name of a friend. This boy is one of at least 120 minors who have been imprisoned by Maduro's security forces since his disputed re-election, according to multiple human rights organizations.
The situation has become so dire that hundreds of people who assisted the opposition in gathering the actual vote totals are fleeing the country for their own safety. CNN spoke to several Venezuelans who have fled their country in the past month, many of whom migrated illegally to avoid being stopped at government checkpoints. One woman, who helped gather over 1,200 printed voting machine receipts critical to the oppositions case, fled the country with her husband and son.
These voting machine totals, which should have been released by the government to verify a win, have not been made public for apparent reasons. Instead, they were collected by the opposition and released to the media both domestically and internationally. The Washington Post and other outlets have examined the totals and confirmed that, based on approximately 80% of the votes for which records exist, the opposition won by a landslide. In response to these damning facts, Maduro has launched a punitive campaign against those who have embarrassed him with Operation Knock Knock.
The future of Venezuela remains uncertain. The only potential game-changer would be if more individuals within the Maduro regime come forward. However, given the current climate of fear and repression, this seems unlikely as they would be risking their lives or at least their freedom to speak out. The international community watches on as the Venezuelan people continue to endure the harsh realities of a regime that appears to prioritize power over democratic principles.
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