Title: Venezuelan Election Observers Forced into Hiding After Death Threats
In a shocking turn of events, several election volunteers for Venezuela’s opposition party have been forced into hiding after receiving death threats from supporters of President Nicolás Maduro. The volunteers, who discovered that Edmundo González defeated Maduro in July, fled the country for their safety.
One of the volunteers, identified only as Anthony, is currently in hiding in a Colombian city near the Venezuelan border. He and his fellow election workers, who have chosen to remain anonymous for their safety, all reported receiving similar threats from paramilitary groups known as “colectivos,” who are key enforcers for Maduro.
The volunteers collected vote tallies that showed González had won the majority vote, contradicting Maduro’s claims of victory. Despite doubts raised by many countries, including the United States, Maduro continues to assert his victory and has labeled the opposition as terrorists.
The threats against the volunteers have escalated, with messages and visits to their homes. The men, who come from various professions such as a bread maker, chef, salesman, and engineer, have all been targeted for their political activism in the past. However, they describe the threats following the election as more brazen and direct.
Celso Barbosa, who fled Venezuela himself six years ago, helped the volunteers escape the country after the July elections. He recently attended a protest in Colombia calling for Maduro to step down. Meanwhile, González has fled to Spain after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Venezuela.
The volunteers fear that if Maduro is sworn in as president in January, more people will be forced to flee the country. The situation highlights the dangers faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo in Venezuela’s political landscape.
