Maduro's victory sparks deadly protests in Caracas

After Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the presidential elections in Venezuela, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Caracas, the country's capital; military and police units brutally suppressed the protests. Tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets have been used. There are already fatalities. Shocking recordings have circulated online.

On Monday, Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the presidential elections in Venezuela. According to the National Electoral Council, he received 51 percent of the votes – 7 percent more than the opposition candidate, Edmundo González (although pre-election polls indicated González's victory).

After the election results were announced, the country plunged into chaos. On Monday, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Caracas, questioning the election results and demanding the government's resignation. Opponents of the president made their way to the government district, chanting "freedom, freedom." The same chants were heard in the poorest district of Caracas.

Streets in the city centre were blocked, fires were breaking out, and monuments were being toppled. Protestors are tearing down and burning Maduro's election posters.

According to journalist Tomasz Surdel on platform X, in Calabozo (Guárico state), a statue of Hugo Chávez was toppled. Meanwhile, in Guacara (Carabobo state), protestors set fire to a large portrait of Nicolas Maduro.

Soldiers and police officers have appeared on the streets of Caracas to prevent demonstrators from approaching the presidential palace. The forces are brutally cracking down on the demonstrators. As reported by the BBC, tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets were used.

There are already fatalities. Recordings showing killed Venezuelans have circulated online (we do not publish them due to their graphic nature).

Nicolas Maduro said before the elections that if the opposition won, it would end in bloodshed. And, as you can see, he kept his word. Another fatal victim of the pro-government “colectivos” - it happened yesterday in Maracay.

The BBC spoke to the demonstrators. They emphasise that the voting was "a terrible fraud" and that the elections were won by González, obtaining over 70 percent of the votes.

"We want a better future for the youth because if not they will leave the country. One where they can work well and earn well. We have a rich country and he is destroying everything. If the youth all leave, only old people will be left in Venezuela, only senior citizens" – protestors told the BBC.

They emphasise that many young people participated in the elections, yearning for change.

It was the first time I have voted in my life. I was there from six in the morning until approximately nine in the morning and I saw a lot of people mobilising in the street - indicated a young man in an interview with the station.

So far, 32 people have been arrested for "destroying election materials and inciting acts of violence".