Tension in Venezuela: Protests called by the opposition after controversial elections.

The situation in Venezuela is becoming increasingly tense following the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro, the results of which have been widely questioned by the opposition and the international community. This Thursday, María Corina Machado, one of the most prominent figures of the opposition, called for protests in "all cities" across the country for next Saturday, emphasizing the need to maintain resistance against what she considers an electoral fraud. The opposition leader is currently in hiding due to threats of imprisonment against her, which has added a new level of urgency to her call for mobilization. In a video shared on social media, Machado expressed her conviction that July 28 marked a "historic triumph," and called on the public to raise the Venezuelan flag as a symbol of discontent. Her message resonated strongly among opposition supporters, who have denounced that the National Electoral Council (CNE) manipulated the election results. According to the opposition, their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, would have received 67% of the votes, a figure that contrasts with the 51% attributed to Maduro by the CNE. Tension has escalated considerably in the country, with reports indicating that at least 11 civilians have lost their lives in the post-election protests and more than 1,200 people have been detained, according to human rights groups. Maduro, for his part, has not hesitated to blame Machado and her candidate for inciting violence, suggesting that they must face justice for what he calls "blood-stained hands." The situation has captured international attention, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that there is "overwhelming evidence" supporting González Urrutia's victory in the elections. This acknowledgment from the United States has increased pressure on Maduro's government, which has responded by opening the door to a possible dialogue with Washington, albeit subject to specific conditions that include respect for Venezuelan sovereignty. As the international community expresses its concerns, other governments in the region, such as those of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, have demanded that an impartial verification of the results be allowed and that electoral documents be disclosed promptly. These nations have reiterated their commitment to popular sovereignty and the need to resolve disputes through institutional means. Despite external pressure, life in Caracas seems to be beginning to return to a semblance of normalcy. Trade and public transport are resuming activities after days of unrest. However, fear persists among the population, who feel insecure discussing the election results, fearing reprisals from the government. Maduro's administration has intensified its security deployment, with a rhetoric that mixes the defense of the revolution and warnings against a supposed coup d'état. The president has urged the public to report those he labels as "fascist criminals," highlighting an environment in which persecution and repression are palpable. Additionally, the Supreme Court has summoned Maduro and other candidates from the elections to a hearing regarding a motion filed by the president to certify the results. This action has been interpreted by the opposition as another attempt to consolidate the regime's control over the electoral process and silence dissenting voices. The climate of uncertainty is further accentuated by the situation of Machado's collaborators, several of whom are currently taking refuge in the Argentine embassy, now under the custody of Brazil. These events reflect a critical context for the opposition, which has faced unprecedented repression in the pre-electoral period, with over a hundred detentions of activists and anti-Chávez leaders. In this landscape, the challenge for the opposition is monumental. The mobilization planned for this Saturday will be a test of their ability to rally citizens around a message of change and resistance. The international community is watching closely, and the response of the population could be the decisive factor in the struggle for democracy in Venezuela.