23 people killed during anti-Maduro protests as opposition activists clash with regime forces over election fraud

At least 23 people have died in in different states throughout Venezuela after a week of protests amid the opposition’s continued claims of electoral fraud perpetrated by the Nicolás Maduro regime.

The demonstrations, which began protesting in the early hours of July 29, just hours after the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro was the winner of the race, have faced strong repression from armed regime forces.

Fatalities have continued to be publicized as part of an ongoing series of reports provided by the Victim’s Monitor human rights news platform.

The last victim to be reported was Walter Pérez, who died on Sunday at the “Dr. Antonio María Pineda” from Barquisimeto, Lara state, five days after being wounded with a projectile in the abdomen. His age has not been determined.

#Actualización 🚨🇻🇪Estas son las víctimas mortales en las protestas por las elecciones presidenciales del #28Jul. #5Ago
@MonitorDeVictimas en #Instagram pic.twitter.com/K4cP6FQiqA

— MonitorDeVíctimas (@MonitorVictimas) August 6, 2024

According to data collected by Victim Monitor, in six of the 23 deaths recorded, it is not known who the murderer is. The military is allegedly responsible in eight cases—and the collectives—a Chavista paramilitary organization—in six others.

There are two victims who purportedly died at the hands of police, and one victim who died from a shooting carried out by uniformed officers and groups.

During the course of the week, the wounded and injured numbered in the hundreds, as well as those persecuted and detained, who are being accused of inciting hatred and terrorism, according to the Foro Penal human rights NGO.

The organization, which leads the defense of political prisoners in the country, has recorded 1,102 arrests, which includes 100 teenagers and 5 indigenous people since July 29.

The regime’s second in command, Diosdado Cabello, said this Monday that “all the detained people are being charged with acts of terrorism and hate crimes.”

The protests began after Maduro was fraudulently re-elected with 51.95% of the votes, in minutes that have not yet been shown by the CNE.

For her part, leader María Corina Machado insists that the winner was her standard-bearer Edmundo González, with 81.7%, results that were published on a website the day after the elections.