MAS urges the government to stop persecution and arrests

The Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) urged the government on Monday to cease “the persecution and mass arrests” that – the party denounced – have occurred, especially after the presidential elections of July 28, in which Nicolas Maduro was declared the winnerwhich the majority opposition considers fraudulent.

The vice president of the party, María Verdeal, also asked that an end to the “intimidation” and accusations of “terrorists” and “fascists” against opposition leaders and activists by the authorities.

“There are currently more than 2,000 people in prison, including children, adolescents, young people, journalists and opposition leaders. (…) This is not how peace is achievedbut with confidence and transparency,” Verdeal said, quoted in a press release from the party.

In this regard, the MAS representative pointed out that the entire nation “demands transparency and credibility of the results” announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which, 29 days after the elections, has not yet published a disaggregated version, despite numerous calls within and outside the country.

«The National Electoral Council is obliged to publish the results, table by table and broken down by political organizationto determine what happened on July 28,” said the socialist leader.

In his opinion, it is “inconceivable” that the recent electoral process, instead of “paving the way for the recovery of the country, generates a great conflict.”

Therefore, he added that Venezuela needs an “understanding between the parties”“because people are tired of so much political confrontation and the social and economic crisis.”

Elections in Venezuela

The main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), says that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia won the elections by a wide marginhence published on a website “83.5% of the electoral records”, documents that have been supported by several countries and international organizations, and dismissed by the government.

This website is being investigated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for alleged “conspiracy” and “usurpation of functions”, among other crimes, a process for which the standard-bearer of the PUD is called, for the second time, to appear on Tuesday, although it is not known whether he attended the first summons on Monday.