After Nicolas Maduro winning the 'controversial' presidential elections in Venezuela, massive protests erupted across the country with the opposition too claiming the victory. Security forces clashed with protesters and fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. At least two deaths were reported in the clashes.
Regions including the border state of Tachira, Maracay, Coro and Caracas witnessed protests. Many Venezuelans staged "cacerolazos", a traditional Latin American protest where people bang pots and pans in anger. Protesters also blocked the highways by burning the tyres and setting vehicles on fire. Posters of President Maduro were burned and ripped down as well.
Military forces were deployed on the streets of Caracas to disperse the protesters, who chanted "freedom, freedom!" and called for the government to fall.
“We are tired of this government, we want a change. We want to be free in Venezuela. We want our families to return here,” said a protester. “I’ll fight for my country's democracy. They stole the election from us," said another.
Many demonstrators rode motorbikes draped themselves in the Venezuelan flag and jammed the streets. Police with shields and batons were on streets of Caracas and the city of Maracay fired tear gas to disperse protesters.
Venezuela's opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez said they have proof that his party won the country's election. He alleged that the election results announced were rigged. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told reporters that they had obtained more than 70 per cent of the votes.
Many countries including the United States, United Kingdom and Argentina raised concerns amid the ‘rigging’ allegations.
Amid tensions, Venezuela's government announced a temporary suspension of commercial air flights to and from Venezuela with Panama and the Dominican Republic starting from 20:00 local time on Wednesday.
"We are all under the obligation to listen to the truth, to gear up with patience, calmness and strength because we are familiar with this movie and we know how to face these situations and how to defeat the violent," said Maduro in a televised speech.
Also, supporters of Maduro planned a rally on Tuesday. Protests began after the election board declared on Monday that Maduro had won a third term by securing 51 per cent of votes, while the opposition secured 44 per cent of votes.