The Venezuelan opposition demands an end to repression and the release of detainees following the elections.

In a context of increasing tension and violence in Venezuela, opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia has made a strong call to President Nicolás Maduro to stop what he calls "the violence and persecutions" against the protesters who have taken to the streets following the presidential elections on July 28. In a video shared on his social media, González Urrutia urged the president to immediately release all compatriots who have been arbitrarily detained, clearly referencing the hundreds of arrests made in the days following the elections. González, who has become the voice of the opposition after María Corina Machado's disqualification, argued that demanding the enforcement of the Constitution should not be considered a crime. In his statements, he emphasized the importance of peaceful protest to uphold the will of millions of Venezuelans, as well as the need to act as electoral witnesses and safeguard the ballots. This stance has resonated with many Venezuelans who feel frustrated by the current situation in the country. For his part, Nicolás Maduro has discredited the protesters, labeling them as "terrorists" and claiming that more than 2,200 people have been arrested in the context of the protests. This figure has raised concerns among human rights organizations, which have documented at least 24 deaths related to the repression of these demonstrations. The situation becomes even more alarming amid allegations of electoral fraud that have arisen following Maduro's declaration as the winner of the elections with 52% of the votes. González Urrutia, who claims to have received 67% support in the elections, has been subject to investigations by the judiciary, which accuses him of "instigation to disobedience" and "conspiracy." These accusations arise in a context where the government has labeled the website where the opposition published electoral records as "fraudulent." This raises a series of questions about the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral processes in the country. The National Electoral Council (CNE), dominated by the government, has been criticized for not providing detailed voting figures, arguing that its system was the target of a cyberattack. The lack of transparency in disclosing the results has increased distrust between the opposition and the general population, which demands greater access to information about the electoral process. In response to the pressure and accusations, Maduro has taken his case to the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), an institution that the opposition considers aligned with the government. The TSJ announced that its decisions regarding the case will have the character of "res judicata" and will be "unappealable," raising concerns about the impartiality of the judicial system in the country. As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring events in Venezuela. Human rights organizations have urged the global community to take action to ensure the protection of citizens' rights and freedom of expression. The repression of peaceful protests has been a recurring theme in reports on the situation in the country, leading to an increasing isolation of Venezuela on the international stage. With a climate of uncertainty and fear, many Venezuelans wonder what the next step will be in the struggle for freedom and democracy. The resistance of the opposition, led by figures like Edmundo González, is indicative of the willingness of a significant segment of the population to continue fighting for the respect of their rights and the construction of a different future. Maduro's response and that of his government will be crucial in this conflict. If they choose to intensify repressive measures, the possibility of a social outbreak could increase, generating even more chaos in a country that is already on the brink of collapse. In this scenario, González Urrutia's call for calm and peace could be a ray of hope for many, although it also poses a challenge in an environment where violence and repression have prevailed.