Thousands of Venezuelans marched through the South American country on Saturday to protest against its disputed election, with President Nicolas Maduro telling supporters that some 2,000 people had been arrested in protests against the results.
Venezuela's electoral authorities, accused by critics of backing the ruling socialists, declared Maduro the winner of last Sunday's vote, saying on Monday that he had received 51 percent support compared with opposition candidate Edmond Edmundo Gonzalez received 46%. Authorities reiterated a similar margin on Friday.
The announcement of the election results sparked widespread accusations of fraud and protests. Security forces subsequently suppressed the protests, which Maduro's government viewed as part of an attempted U.S.-backed coup.
“There will be no forgiveness this time,” Maduro told supporters at a rally in Caracas. He said some 2,000 people had been detained for “crimes” committed during the protests. He promised “the harshest punishment.”
Maduro's supporters say they are defending democracy.
“Today we are here to answer the president's call… to defend democracy,” Alfredo Valera, president of Venezuela's Funtur union, who participated in the pro-government caravan in Caracas, told state television.
Elsewhere, opposition supporters, inspired by leader Maria Corina Machado, marched to demand justice. .
Machado told supporters in Caracas: “Just as it took us a long time to achieve our electoral victory, now we take this step day by day, but we have never been stronger than today, never No.
Supporters were happy to see Machado on the streets after he said in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Thursday that he was in hiding and feared for his life.
In addition to Caracas, demonstrations also took place in the cities of Valencia, Maracaibo and San Cristóbal.
“I won't deny that I was a little scared when I saw the security forces passing by,” said Maria Luzardo, a 46-year-old vendor in San Cristóbal. “If (Machado) bravely takes to the streets despite threats, so will we. Venezuela is calling us.”
At least 20 people have been killed in post-election protests so far, according to advocacy groups including the US-based Human Rights Watch. Some 1,200 other people were arrested in connection with the demonstrations, according to the government.
This week, some Venezuelans showed up outside police stations seeking news about detained family members.
The Organization of American States has urged peace in Venezuela ahead of planned demonstrations.
“Today we urge not to have one more political prisoner, not one more person tortured, not one more person missing, not one more person murdered,” the Organization of American States said. The group this week called the election results unreliable.
Countries including the United States and Argentina have recognized Gonzalez as the winner of the election, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken citing “overwhelming evidence” on Thursday. Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay also concluded on Friday that Gonzalez received the most votes.
Other countries, including Russia, China and Cuba, also congratulated Maduro.