Page 6 - aruba-today-20240829

A6 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 29 augusT 2024
Maduro opponents take to streets to revive protests disputing

Venezuelan election results

By JOSHUA GOODMAN sure on Maduro is unlikely
and JORGE RUEDA to cease any time soon
Associated Press and pointed out that not a
CARACAS, Venezuela single Western democracy
(AP) — Opponents of Ven- has recognized what she
ezuelan President Nicolás called Maduro’s “fraud.”
Maduro took to the streets “Those who say the pas-
Wednesday in an attempt sage of time favors Mad-
to revive protests against uro are wrong,” Machado
him as he tightens his grip said to throngs of support-
on power following last ers who filled an avenue in
month’s disputed election. Caracas. “Every day he’s
The demonstration in the more isolated, more toxic.”
capital, Caracas, comes Not to be outdone, Madu-
exactly a month after ro’s supporters also planned
the fraught July 28 vote to hold rallies Wednesday,
in which Maduro was de- vowing to “defend” Mad-
clared the winner despite uro’s victory against what
strong evidence that oppo- they claim is an attempt to
sition candidate Edmundo sow unrest throughout the
González won by a nearly South American country.
2-to-1 margin, which drew Amid the ongoing crisis,
international condemna- Maduro has leaned heav-
tion that the vote lacked Maria Corina Machado leads a protest against the reelection of President Nicolás Maduro one ily on security forces to pre-
transparency. month after the disputed presidential vote which she claims the opposition won by a landslide, in serve his power. On Tues-
Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.
In weeks of on-again, off- Associated Press day, he appointed a hard-
again demonstrations, the line ruling party boss as
opposition’s rallying cry has of tally sheets it collected Opposition leader Maria conservative politician interior minister, with over-
been constant but so far in- and posted online that Corina Machado, who crisscrossed the nation sight of police forces. Dios-
effective. Opponents have contradict a recent sen- along with González went for weeks to help elect dado Cabello has vowed
demanded that officials tence written by the loyal- into hiding following the González, a previously un- to show no mercy against
publish results from each ist Supreme Court certifying election, re-emerged to known former diplomat. government opponents.
polling station that they say Maduro’s purported vic- attend Wednesday’s rally, Acknowledging the steep Cabello’s appointment
would expose Maduro’s tory. waving a Venezuelan flag challenge of forcing Mad- stoked fears that a crack-
attempts to steal the elec- Wednesday’s protest was and hugging small children uro from power, Mach- down that has already led
tion. smaller than previous dem- from the back of a truck as ado said the movement to more than 2,000 arrests
“Voting records kill sen- onstrations. Tiny groups of supporters shouted “Free- she leads will be strategic of journalists, politicians
tence,” is how the opposi- Venezuelans also gathered dom!” about calling for addition- and students is likely to
tion billed the latest protest, in other Latin America cap- Banned from running al demonstrations. But she intensify.q
referring to the thousands itals. against Maduro, the said the international pres-

Spain’s leader starts West Africa tour with agreements to combat

people smuggling

By RENATA BRITO Spain’s prime minister an- nation of Mauritania on “It is a need that involves people land on its shores
Associated Press nounced a series of agree- Tuesday to stem a surge in certain problems, and for since January, more than
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — ments with the West African migrants making the dan- this we must push formulas double the number of ir-
gerous Atlantic journey to that allow us to manage regular arrivals for the same
the Canary Islands. the phenomenon of migra- period last year, according
Speaking alongside Mauri- tion in a humane, safe and to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
tanian President Mohamed orderly way, to benefit our “Until not long ago Spain
Ould Ghazouani in Nouak- respective societies.” was also a country of mi-
chott, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on a three-day grants ... they aspired to
Sánchez said Spain will ex- tour of West Africa to rein- better lives, much like those
pand its circular migration force bilateral relations with who take great risks and
program to Mauritanians Mauritania, Gambia and take on this dangerous ad-
and renew cooperation Senegal, where the major- venture,” Sánchez said.
between the two nations’ ity of migrant boats reach- Among those making it to
security forces to combat ing the Canary Islands are the Canaries are thousands
people smuggling and traf- being launched from. of Malian refugees flee-
ficking networks. “Despite The Spanish archipelago ing violence and instability

the rhetoric that is grow- located close to the Afri- in the Sahelian nation as
ing in Europe, migration is can coast and used as a well as youth from Senegal,
Migrants disembark at the port of on “La Estaca” in Valverde not a problem,” Sánchez stepping stone for migrants Mauritania and other West
at the Canary island of El Hierro, Spain, Monday, Aug. 26, said, openly recognizing and refugees trying to African countries who are
2024. Migrants arrived by boat after a thirteen-day voyage from

the coast of Senegal. the need for migrant work- reach continental Europe seeking better job opportu-
Associated Press ers in Spain’s aging society. has seen more than 22,000 nities abroad.q