Cayman’s Venezuelan community will join a global demonstration in defence of Venezuelan democracy and fair elections on Saturday.
Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has called on the Venezuelan diaspora, estimated at more than 7.7 million people worldwide, to join in protests that day against the highly scrutinised 28 July election, in which current President Nicolas Maduro was declared victor under dubious circumstances.
The opposition asserts their candidate, Edmundo González, won the election with 67% of the vote and that Maduro, president of Venezuela since 2013, must step down.
“Venezuela is facing a political and humanitarian crisis, where freedom of speech has been taken and thousands are being imprisoned for speaking up against the fraudulent presidential election held on 28 July, where the opposition won the elections by [more than] 60% and still the dictator Nicolas Maduro self proclaimed himself president,” read a statement from Cayman’s Venezuelan community.
Members of the Venezuelan diaspora in Cayman expressed fear over the arrests and retaliatory actions, including revocation of passports, being taken against opposition members in wake of the election, and the possible consequences against their own family members in Venezuela.
“People are being kidnapped from their own homes for protesting peacefully and even posting on social media against the government,” the statement read.
“Venezuela has been living under a dictatorship for the past 25 years, with poverty increasing every day, and lack of food and resources. Due to this situation, millions have fled the country.”
González has been recognised as the election winner by the United States and much of Latin America, including Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay and Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Maduro continues to receive support from Russia, China, Cuba, Honduras and Nicaragua.
The Venezuelan diaspora has encouraged all members of Cayman’s community, regardless of nationality, to join them in solidarity for the peaceful demonstration.
The community will meet at 4pm on Saturday in Heroes Square as part of the global movement.
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