Democratic crisis in Venezuela following controversial elections and massive protests.

The recent presidential election in Venezuela has unleashed a wave of controversy and discontent, both nationally and internationally. The Carter Center, recognized for its work in promoting democracy and electoral integrity, has issued a strong statement indicating that the election results do not meet international standards of integrity and, therefore, cannot be considered democratic. This assertion adds to the growing outcry from the opposition and various sectors of the population questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process. Since the beginning of the Carter Center's observation mission in June, a context of concern has been established. With 17 experts deployed in several cities, the team encountered an environment marked by a lack of transparency and restrictions on freedom of expression. The organization highlighted a serious violation of electoral principles, pointing out that the electoral authority did not provide results broken down by polling station, which constitutes a breach of the rules governing elections. The situation has generated palpable discontent among citizens, especially in low-income neighborhoods, which have led the protests against what they consider electoral fraud. The demonstrations have been intense, and the authorities' repression has resulted in a tragic toll, with at least 11 dead and 177 detained so far. Residents of these communities, traditionally considered strongholds of chavismo, have begun to question the figure of Nicolás Maduro, who appears to have lost the popular support that once backed him. The Venezuelan president, in an attempt to solidify his victory, appeared before his supporters from the presidential palace, challenging opposition leader María Corina Machado to confront him directly. Despite the protests and demands for transparency, Maduro reaffirmed his stance and threatened to use police and military forces to contain any manifestations against his government. This defiant approach reflects an alarming disconnect between the government and the reality of the population. The opposition, led by Machado, has presented its own data contradicting the claims of the National Electoral Council (CNE). According to their reports, Edmundo González Urrutia would be the real winner of the elections, with an overwhelming majority. Amid the confusion, the CNE website, which should be the official source of results, has been inactive, further fueling suspicions of possible fraud. The lack of access to clear and verifiable information has turned the situation into a genuine information battleground. Criticism of Maduro is not only coming from the internal opposition; the international community is becoming increasingly concerned. The Organization of American States (OAS) has urged the president to acknowledge his defeat or call for new, more transparent elections. For its part, the European Union has questioned the limited access to verification of the results, putting even more pressure on a government that is already walking a tightrope. In an atmosphere of rising tension, Maduro's words, accusing González of being a CIA agent and linking him to dark events in El Salvador, contribute to the polarizing rhetoric that characterizes Venezuelan politics. Such attacks only increase division and hinder the dialogue necessary in times of crisis. Meanwhile, the low-income neighborhoods, which had been a bastion of chavismo, are beginning to raise their voices. Their discontent is not only manifested in the streets but is also fueled by accumulated frustration over years of economic crisis, shortages of food and medicine, and a profound feeling of abandonment by a government that seems more focused on maintaining power than on addressing the needs of its people. As protests continue, the pressure on Maduro's government increases. The possibility of a change in the country's political direction seems more plausible than ever, but this requires not only an acknowledgment of the election results but also a genuine commitment to a democratic process that respects the will of the Venezuelan people. Undoubtedly, Venezuela's immediate future is marked by uncertainty, the struggle for truth, and the search for a path toward democracy.