Protests in Venezuela: Machado calls for resistance against Maduro this Saturday.

In a day marked by political and social tension, opposition leader María Corina Machado has called on Venezuelans to participate in protests in all cities across the country this Saturday at ten in the morning. The goal of these demonstrations is to express rejection of the results of the recent elections in which Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner, a result that the opposition considers fraudulent. Machado, who is in "hiding" due to threats of arrest she has received, has urged citizens to unite with their families and raise the national flag as a symbol of resistance and the quest for freedom.

The climate of uncertainty and repression is exacerbated by threats from President Maduro, who has announced the creation of two maximum-security prisons for those arrested in the protests. Maduro stated that these facilities would be ready within 15 days and that the demonstrators, whom he refers to as "guarimberos," would be imprisoned under the pretext of protecting peace and order in the country. These statements have raised alarms about a possible escalation of violence and repression in response to popular discontent.

The situation is further complicated by Maduro's accusations regarding the alleged existence of groups trained in other countries, such as Chile and Peru, that would be behind the violent demonstrations. During a press conference, the Venezuelan leader asserted that most of those detained in the protests are Venezuelans who returned to the country with premeditated attack plans. This narrative has generated concern regarding the criminalization of the opposition and those exercising their right to protest.

Since the announcement of Maduro's victory, around 300 protests have been recorded in 21 of the 23 states of the country, many of which have been violently suppressed by the authorities. According to data from human rights organizations, at least 11 people have lost their lives and more than 1,200 have been detained in the context of these protests. The repression has made it clear that the government is willing to use force to maintain control in the face of growing popular discontent.

Despite Maduro being proclaimed the winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE), the lack of transparency in the electoral process has fueled doubts about the legitimacy of his re-election. The CNE has not presented data to support Maduro's victory, claiming a cyberattack affected the vote count. Meanwhile, the opposition has collected records indicating that their candidate, Edmundo González, won the election by a significant margin, intensifying the public demand for an independent recount of the votes.

On the international stage, the controversy over the electoral results has also been a topic of discussion. While some countries like China, Russia, and Cuba have congratulated Maduro, others like the United States and Peru have recognized González as the true winner and demanded transparency in the electoral process. This division in the international community reflects the lack of consensus on the political situation in Venezuela and accentuates the isolation of Maduro's government.

The challenge facing the country is monumental. Venezuelans find themselves at a crossroads where the fear of repression contrasts with the desire for freedom and democracy. Calls for protests and civil resistance are seen by many as a way to reclaim fundamental rights that have been trampled over the past few years. Machado's call has resonated with a segment of the population that longs for change, while the government seems unwilling to yield to the opposition's demands.

Today's day of protests will be a thermometer to gauge the social pulse in Venezuela. Massive participation could signify a shift in the political dynamics of the country, although the government's response to a possible overflow of mobilization is unpredictable. Maduro's threats to show no mercy to the demonstrators portend a climate of confrontation that could result in a new cycle of violence.

Thus, the eyes of the world will be on Venezuela, a country trapped in a humanitarian and economic crisis, desperately seeking a path toward peace and democracy. The struggle for freedom continues, and today it is expected that the streets will be filled with citizens who, despite their fear, dare to raise their voices against oppression. The story of Venezuela continues to be written in this context of struggle and resistance, where the future of the country hangs by a thread and the determination of its people could be the key to achieving true change.