Harris calls on Venezuelan military to protect opposition members from threats and attacks

US Vice President Kamala Harris has sent a letter to opposition leaders in Venezuela urging the country’s military to protect citizens.

It also calls on the international community to pressure the electoral authorities to hand over the records certifying the alleged re-election of Nicolás Maduro in the presidential elections of July 28.

In her letter, addressed to opposition leader María Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, the US vice president warns that a militarized response will only aggravate the crisis facing the country.

He also stressed the importance of security forces exercising restraint, respecting human rights and protecting the population from any political threat or attack.

Kamala Harris also called on the CNE to ensure transparency in the electoral process and encouraged the international community to exert pressure to publish the full election results.

The Democratic leader stressed that human rights violations and censorship not only intensify the crisis, but also prevent any progress towards a peaceful and democratic transition.

In her letter, Harris also pledged that the United States will continue to support respectful and peaceful dialogue between the parties in Venezuela, in line with the country’s electoral law.

What did Edmundo González and María Corina Machado answer?

Edmundo González and María Corina Machado thanked the Vice President of the United States for her support of democratic values.

The leaders shared a message on X in which they highlighted their excitement at the international recognition of the “courage and determination of the Venezuelan people to achieve freedom.” Both stressed that the support of the international community gives them more strength to continue their fight for a free Venezuela.

“Knowing that we are not alone gives us even more strength. Venezuelans are united like never before. Thank you, Kamala Harris, for defending democratic values, which are the spirit of our victory. Venezuela will be free. Our families will return home,” they said.

The presidential candidate called on democratic countries to remain firm in defending democracy in Venezuela and to continue demanding transparency from the authorities.

This statement came after several countries in the region, including Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, and the United States, rejected the validation of Maduro’s victory by the Supreme Court of Justice.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan opposition claims victory at the polls, backed by votes showing a wide margin in favour of González Urrutia.

However, the Supreme Court of Justice, controlled by Chavismo, ratified the official results that give Maduro the victory. None of the bodies, including the National Electoral Council, controlled by Chavismo, has published the evidence.

Continue reading:
• US says Venezuelan Supreme Court’s ratification of Maduro’s victory is not credible
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• Venezuela’s Supreme Court controlled by Maduro ratified his victory in the elections