Political crisis in Venezuela: Maduro faces accusations of fraud and repression.

The political situation in Venezuela has become more critical following the controversial elections on July 28, in which President Nicolás Maduro declared himself the winner. However, the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, has denounced systematic fraud and called for protests across the country. In a video shared on social media, Machado urged citizens to remain steadfast and organized, emphasizing that, despite the adversities, July 28 should be remembered as a historic triumph. The atmosphere of tension intensified when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly backed Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate, stating that he was the true winner of the elections. This international recognition puts even more pressure on Maduro's government, which has dismissed the fraud allegations, claiming to have received 51% of the votes in the elections, compared to 44% for his rival. Nevertheless, the opposition argues that their voting records show González Urrutia may have received as much as 67% of the votes. The repression against opponents has been brutal, with at least 11 dead and more than 1,200 arrests reported since the protests began. Maduro, for his part, has accused the opposition of inciting violence and has threatened to imprison its leaders. This situation has led Machado to declare herself in hiding, fearing for her life and freedom, while she continues to denounce corruption and electoral fraud. Despite the palpable fear in Caracas, where daily life is slowly beginning to resume, there exists an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension. Citizens are cautious when talking about politics, aware of government surveillance, which has urged the population to report those they consider "fascist criminals." This strategy aims to consolidate the regime's control and silence any opposition. The recognition of the electoral results by the United States and the pressure exerted by the governments of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico for an impartial verification of the results has raised the international profile of the conflict. These nations have demanded clarity in the electoral process and called for the disclosure of voting records, emphasizing the importance of transparent scrutiny to restore trust in Venezuela's democratic system. In response to external criticism and pressure, Maduro has opened the door to a possible dialogue with the United States, although conditioned on the acceptance of a previously signed memorandum of understanding in negotiations. This shift in his rhetoric suggests a search for international legitimacy, despite the growing internal pressure. The atmosphere of fear and repression has led some opposition members to seek refuge in embassies, highlighting the severe human rights crisis in the country. The situation at the Argentine embassy, where several opponents have taken refuge, reflects the climate of persecution faced by dissenters in Venezuela. While the Armed Forces maintain their loyalty to the government, the country remains mired in political chaos. The Supreme Court has summoned Maduro and other candidates to a hearing to discuss the validation of the results, but doubts about the impartiality of the judicial system persist, leaving little room for hope for a fair resolution to the conflict. The international community watches closely as events unfold, waiting to see if the opposition protests will lead to significant change or if, on the contrary, Maduro's regime will continue to consolidate its power through repression and control. The struggle for democracy in Venezuela has intensified, and the coming weeks will be crucial for the country's future and the well-being of its people.