Chaos and repression, complaints at polling stations in Venezuela

Tensions were also high in the state of Portuguesa, where at around 10:00 a.m. in the town of Guanarito, electoral observers reported that the military had taken control of a voting center. According to an opposition witness, “the regime has seized the voting center, preventing our polling station observers from carrying out their duties.” The witness added that the people are “tired” and ready to fight for freedom.

The situation has generated an atmosphere of uncertainty and frustration among voters, who are facing an electoral process in which, for the first time in 25 years, Chavismo faces a real threat of defeat by the opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia.

The opposition party Vente Venezuela has issued a first bulletin denouncing serious human rights violations in the context of the election day. According to the report, 22 arbitrary arrests, 54 cases of persecution and 28 cases of harassment have been recorded. The movement has used X (formerly Twitter) to warn about these irregularities and denounce the ongoing electoral repression.

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This turbulent start to the elections raises serious questions about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process in Venezuela, as the country faces a historic election that could redefine its political future.