77 opposition supporters and collaborators were arrested during the presidential election campaign in Venezuela

Some 77 opposition supporters and collaborators have been arrested Since the start of the presidential election campaign Venezuela On July 4, the Caracas-based human rights organization reported on Tuesday.

The figure is in addition to a total of 102 people arrested this year around opposition leaders' campaigns and rallies. Maria Corina Machado And Edmundo Gonzalez, The director of the Foro Panel said on Tuesday, Alfredo Romero. Nearly 70 of them have already been released, some within hours of being detained, according to the associate director Gonzalo Himeop.

Of the 102 arrests, 77 have occurred since the campaign's formal launch on July 4, which Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado said represented “a clear form of action against activists, fighters, collaborators or people who provide their services.” , said Himeop.

The rest of the arrests – explained the organization – in the previous months, Machado led several conversion events in different parts of the country.

”This (…) is a serious and very clear, clear indication that a systematic and general program of control is being carried out from power against citizens (…) due to the specific identity of a group. “Citizens (…) identify with the political will proposed by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González,” the lawyer said at a press conference.

He explained that in the electoral context, the Penal Chamber records “arbitrary political disqualifications”, “de facto dismissal”, “dismissal”, “closure of business premises” or “acts of intimidation”. State security agencies.”

He recalled that according to the provisions of the constitution, officers who carry out “these acts of persecution” “cannot rely on superior orders”.

Criminal Forum, documented 124 arrests in 2024 for “political reasons”.Called the regime Nicolás Maduro They want to “end the repression” and allow “free elections” on July 28, in which 10 candidates will participate, including nine opponents, and President Nicolás Maduro, who is seeking a third consecutive six-year term.

In the last 48 hours only, the opposition parties and the sentencing forum 11 arrests confirmedIncluding the singer Willy AlvarezComposed a campaign song for Machado and González Urrutia.

Not to mention the arrests, the presidential candidate Luis Eduardo Martinezwho defined himself as an adversary, pointed at X “Majority“Venezuelan people want to be”Peace change” With the election, Nicolás Maduro will secure a third consecutive six-year term.

For his part, the Movement for Socialism Denied using admin”Authoritarian and violent means He emphasized that the election trail should be tried to prevent development with healthy peace and tranquility, which is why the end of the political conflict will be “peaceful”.

Likewise, training Justice first In a press release, the country “An increase in spontaneity“In the middle of the campaign, he noted”Closure of shopping malls by Govt”, referring to businesses sanctioned by the tax agency after serving PUD heads.

Considering all this, the editor JUAN CARLOS DELPHINOOne of the five powers of the National Electoral Council (CNE) called for the maintenance of a peaceful climate and recalled that arbitrary arrests “attack the exercise of political rights”.

(With information from Bloomberg and EFE)