Venezuela ramped up repression after disputed vote, UN says

17/9/2024 19:11

        Venezuela's government "dramatically intensified" efforts to crush peaceful protest and ramped up its repressive machinery following the country's presidential election in July, according to a report from a UN fact-finding mission published Tuesday.
        
        Venezuelan authorities acted to dismantle and demobilize the opposition, inhibit the dissemination of independent information and critical opinions, and prevent peaceful protests in a "conscious and deliberate" manner, the report said.
        
        "We are witnessing an intensification of the state's repressive machinery in response to what it perceives as critical views, opposition or dissent," said Marta Valinas, chair of the fact-finding mission.
        
        Venezuela's electoral authorities and top court said President Nicolas Maduro won the elections, without showing all the voting tallies, prompting supporters of opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez to accuse the ruling party of fraud.