One Dead In Protests Against Election Result In Venezuela

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 30 (Bernama-dpa) -- At least one person died in protests against the election result in Venezuela, the non-governmental organisation Foro Penal said on social media platform X on Monday evening, with more protests planned for Tuesday, reported German news agency (dpa).

At least 46 people were arrested in various cities and states of the South American country, Foro Penal wrote. 

The reported death occurred in the northern state of Yaracuy, although further details were initially unknown. Local media reported at least two deaths.

Nationwide, protests following the controversial election that handed another term to authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro led to at times violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

Television footage showed police using tear gas and occasionally striking people. Shots were also fired at demonstrators who were marching to the presidential palace in the capital Caracas, the newspaper El Nacional reported and video clips showed.

The shooters could be so-called Colectivos (Collectives), pro-government paramilitary groups that enforce the government's agenda through violence. The video showed police not intervening to prevent the attack on the demonstrators.

The opposition called for a large demonstration against the government on Tuesday. The government camp also plans to bring its supporters to the streets.

The National Electoral Council officially declared Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of the presidential election with 51.2 per cent votes in Sunday's election, while opposition candidate Edmundo González received 44.2 per cent. The opposition does not recognise the official result and claims election fraud.

-- BERNAMA-dpa