The signs of electoral fraud in Venezuela, following the announced victory of Nicolás Maduro, the Chavista leader, in the last general elections held in the Latin American country on Sunday, July 28, have plunged Venezuela into social chaos. Thousands of Venezuelans are taking to the streets to protest against the lack of transparency in the issuance of the electoral results, while the police are harshly repressing the demonstrations, which have already left six dead and 700 arrested. The opposition, led by Edmundo González, accuses Maduro of hiding the true results of the electoral records and, in Spain, both the right (PP) and the left (Podemos) are demanding clarity.
In the world of culture, there are many artists related to music who have spoken out about the current political situation in Venezuela, calling for transparency. Alejandro Sanz has been one of the first artists to publicly question Maduro’s victory. He has stated that “no one, with a minimum of common sense, can believe that Maduro won the elections,” and has called the situation “abuse,” adding that “what is happening in Venezuela is not called democracy but shameless democracy.”
Residente, for his part, has specifically asked that the election results be made public, “table by table.” For the rapper, “it is reasonable to ask the Venezuelan government to show the data that truly prove the victory it has claimed, so that everyone can believe them,” and he has asked the “international community” to intervene by demanding transparency “so that the popular decision is respected.” Residente has added that “the weariness of the Venezuelan people is felt and heard in the streets” and that the Venezuelan population “is asking for changes to the current system.”
Rubén Blades, in statements similar to those of Alejandro Sanz, has cited the supposed percentages obtained during the elections, assuring that “that 51% vs 44% is not believed by even the little bird that talks to Maduro.” Randy Malcom, member of Gente de Zona, has compared the political situation in Venezuela with that of Cuba, also assuming the fraud: “Unfortunately, the taste of freedom was taken away from the people of Venezuela and hopefully, it will not be for 65 more years like those that the dictatorship of Cuba will serve. It saddens me to see how the dreams of freedom of millions are fading away.”
More succinctly, Nathy Peluso has also shown her support for Venezuela, highlighting the “immense strength” and “art” of its population.
Arca, a Venezuelan by birth, has accused the Venezuelan government of “fraudulently declaring Maduro the winner” in an election she considers “rigged.” In a series of messages, Arca has called for the “end of Maduro’s authoritarian regime” and has demanded that the current government stop “staying in power by modifying the Constitution and defrauding” voters. She has also called for “change” so that Venezuela stops being “that corrupt country from which everyone has been emigrating in search of a better life, for more than a generation now.” No country, says Arca, should be able to “get away with it” after committing electoral fraud.
Another famous Venezuelan artist, Carlos Baute, also assumes that there was fraud in Venezuela and criticises the harsh repression experienced in the streets: “They kill innocent young people and take prisoners the people who raise their voices,” writes Baute, who says he is “eager for change and dreams.”
