International Pressure Mounts as Maduro Blames Unrest on Far-Right Conspiracy

Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, has blamed the recent unrest following the disputed presidential election on a far-right conspiracy, as international condemnation and diplomatic isolation intensify. Maduro accused his political rivals, Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado, of orchestrating the turmoil.

Addressing foreign journalists at the presidential palace, Maduro struck a defiant tone, claiming that the disturbances were part of a “criminal attempt to seize power.” He ordered security forces onto the streets and urged citizens to report protesters using a government app.

González and Machado maintain that their campaign secured a landslide victory amid widespread anger over Venezuela’s economic collapse and a migration crisis that has seen 8 million citizens flee the country. Maduro, however, has claimed victory without providing proof, sparking street protests and international criticism, including from members of the Latin American left.

On Tuesday, the Carter Center, a pro-democracy group invited by Maduro’s administration to witness the election, stated that the vote “could not be considered democratic.” The group cited a “complete lack of transparency” in announcing the results and a “clear bias in favor of the incumbent” by the government-controlled electoral council.

White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed “serious concerns about subversions of democratic norms” and reports of violence and casualties involving protesters. Brian Nichols, the US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, urged Maduro and foreign governments to recognize González as the winner.

Colombia’s left-wing president, who has a good relationship with Maduro, acknowledged “serious doubts” over the election results.

Maduro rebuffed these criticisms during two encounters with journalists. Speaking at the supreme court, he lambasted what he called a “criminal attack” designed to topple his administration. Later, at the heavily guarded Miraflores palace, he stated that González and Machado should be imprisoned.

Maduro claimed the attempt to remove him from power was part of a global extreme-right movement involving politicians such as Argentina’s president Javier Milei, El Salvador’s president Nayid Bukele, Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, the Spanish party Vox, and billionaire Elon Musk.

“Venezuela will not fall into the hands of fascists, criminals, and imperialists,” Maduro proclaimed, vowing to resist by force if necessary.

Despite his defiance, observers say Maduro’s position remains precarious. Cynthia Arnson, a distinguished fellow at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington, told the Associated Press, “The country is in a death spiral and there’s no chance the economy will be able to recover without the legitimacy that comes from a fair election.”

The streets of Caracas were quiet on Wednesday, with many residents staying home for fear of further turbulence or repression. According to government figures, over 1,000 people have been detained during the post-election crackdown. The human rights group Foro Penal reports 11 people killed and 429 arrests confirmed.

Venezuela is becoming increasingly isolated, with flights to and from Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Peru suspended in response to criticism of the election. Peru has officially recognized González as Venezuela’s president-elect, but Maduro vowed that his rival would “never, ever” take power.