Catholic Bishops of Venezuela Call for Peace and "a process of verification of the ballot results" Following Election Protests

Violent protests have broken out across Venezuela following a dispute about elections held on July 28th. The national electoral authority has proclaimed incumbent President Nicolás Maduro the winner of the vote, giving him a third term in office. Independent pollsters, however, have called that result implausible, and opposition leaders and foreign observers alike have urged transparency over vote tallies. In protests against Maduro’s proclamation as president, at least two people have died, and hundreds been arrested.
The Venezuelan bishops, in response, join their "voices to those of all those inside and outside Venezuela who demand a process of verification of the minutes of the ballot, in which all the political actors involved actively and fully participate."

"As pastors of the People of God, we are following closely the development of recent events and we want to express to everyone our closeness and willingness to provide pastoral support in these times of concern."  that have once again plunged Venezuela into a climate of crisis and urban guerrilla warfare,
On July 28, they published on social media, that the election “was characterized by the massive, active and civic participation of all Venezuelans in the electoral process. In this way we ratified our democratic vocation.”
The Bishops also echoed the call for electoral transparency: "We join our voices with all those inside and outside Venezuela who demand a process of verification of the ballot results, in which all the involved political actors participate actively and fully.”
“Let us stand firm in hope,” the statement urgeed. “Our thoughts and just claims must be made with the peaceful attitudes of respect and tolerance that have reigned up to now.”
A democracy that runs the risk of not enjoying good health given the controversial votes that once again confirmed President Nicolás Maduro with more than 51% of the votes. Accusations of electoral fraud come from citizens, from the opposition and even from several foreign countries, such as Italy, the United States and several South American nations. For this reason, the government expelled the ambassadors of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, accusing them of “interference”, and suspended flights to the Dominican Republic and Panama. The UN has also requested “total transparency” regarding the results of the vote.

“Let us remain firm in hope,” urge the Venezuelan prelates, who, while siding with the numerous demonstrators who are protesting in the streets at this time, strongly condemn the violence: “We must carry out our thoughts and just demands with the peaceful attitudes of respect and tolerance that have prevailed until now.”

In the country's cities, meanwhile, scenes of urban guerrilla warfare continue to be seen. Street violence and protests are taking place both for and against Maduro's re-election. The leader of the opposition, María Corina Machado, declared in a press conference that she obtained “more than 73% of the votes, so our president-elect is Edmundo González” and she has “proof” of this. Such evidence - Machado adds - “will soon be available through a portal that can be consulted by everyone.”

However, the violence seems to have no end: 187 protests have been recorded in twenty of the twenty-three states since the elections. According to human rights organizations, more than 40 people have been arrested. Two have died, but the number could rise. (F.B.) (Sources: Vatican News and Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2024)