Venezuela was gripped by protests challenging Maduro's victory

Venezuelan security forces have used tear gas against protesters challenging Nicolás Maduro's victory in the July 28 presidential election.
Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of several neighborhoods in the capital, Caracas, chanting "Freedom, freedom!" and "This government will fall!", reported AFP.
Some of the protesters tore posters of Maduro from street poles and burned them. Many were banging pots and pans, a traditional form of protest in Latin America.
Members of the National Guard fired tear gas at the protesters, some of whom wore motorcycle helmets and bandanas tied around their faces for protection. Some demonstrators responded by throwing rocks at security forces.
Maduro, 61, attended a meeting earlier on July 29 where the National Electoral Council (NEC) certified his re-election for a third six-year term until 2031.
During the ceremony, Maduro dismissed international criticism and doubts about the outcome of the vote. He stated that Venezuela was the subject of an attempted "coup d'état" of a "fascist and counter-revolutionary" nature.
As international criticism mounted, Caracas announced it was withdrawing diplomatic staff from seven Latin American countries that had cast doubt on Maduro's victory.
The election was held amid widespread concerns about government fraud and a campaign marred by allegations of political intimidation.
Opinion polls predicted a landslide victory for the opposition, although pro-regime courts barred its leader Maria Corina Machado from running.
In the early hours of July 29, the NIS reported that Maduro had won 51.2% of the votes cast against 44.2% for Machado's proxy, Edmundo González Urrutia.
The opposition complained, claiming to have won 2/3 of the electoral votes. | BGNES