Maduro accuses the opposition of planning attacks during protests in Caracas.

In a context of increasing political tension, the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, has made serious accusations against the opposition, claiming they are preparing to carry out an "attack" during the protests scheduled for this Saturday in Caracas. The mobilization, led by opposition figure María Corina Machado, is organized in rejection of the results of the recent elections, in which Maduro was declared the winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE). In a speech broadcast on the state channel VTV, Maduro stated that he has received information about the intention of opposition groups to attack attendees at the protest, specifically in the Bello Monte area. "I thought it through very well, because we could be uncovering a source of information that we have been working on regarding groups of criminals from the commandos," he declared, referring to the political groups that support his rival Edmundo González Urrutia. The Venezuelan president not only accused the opposition of planning an attack but also suggested that these acts of violence would be part of a broader strategy to destabilize the government. "It is not the first time that the right intends to attack its own people," he commented, emphasizing González Urrutia's alleged complicity in these plans. He asserted that the opposition is "very upset," as, according to him, the people have taught them a lesson at the polls. Maduro also used this situation to reaffirm his stance that the government of the United States and international allies, including figures like Elon Musk and Argentine President Javier Milei, are behind an attempted coup in Venezuela. This type of rhetoric is not new in the president's discourse, as he has consistently sought to link the opposition with foreign interests aimed at undermining his government. On the other hand, Maduro's accusations come in an already tense atmosphere, where the opposition has strongly questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process. The Carter Center, which acted as an observer in the elections, issued a report stating that the process "did not meet" international standards for electoral integrity, which, according to many analysts, undermines the credibility of the result. In response to the perceived threats, Maduro announced that he has given precise instructions to security forces to protect Caracas during the protests. "The intelligence, counterintelligence, security, and police forces" will be on alert, increasing their presence on the streets and ensuring public order, according to his statements. This suggests a possible scenario of clashes between security forces and protesters, which could further exacerbate the situation. Meanwhile, the opposition, which claims to have over 80% of the records supporting González Urrutia's victory, is preparing to take its message to the streets, challenging the government's claims. María Corina Machado has been a central figure in the mobilization, urging citizens to peacefully protest against what they consider electoral fraud. Polarization in the country is becoming increasingly evident. Maduro's accusations, far from reducing tension, seem to stoke the flames of a conflict that has been simmering for years. The president's rhetoric, asserting that the "far right is an expert in false positives," reinforces the official narrative that the opposition is a threat not only to his government but also to the stability of the country. Ultimately, the outcome of the protests this Saturday could have significant repercussions for Venezuela's political future. While the government prepares to repel what it considers an imminent attack, the opposition faces the challenge of mobilizing its supporters in a context of uncertainty and repression. The situation in the country remains highly volatile, leaving many Venezuelans uncertain about the direction their nation will take in the coming days.