Venezuelan Activists Protest to Set a Date for Recall Election

Country: Venezuela
September 16, 2016
News

On September 1, 2016, Venezuelan protesters filled the streets of Caracas, calling upon the government to hold a recall election that would likely oust President Maduro. Dozens of demonstrators, including the journalist Braulio Jatar Alonso who publicized information about the protests, were arrested, further adding to Venezuela’s growing list of political prisoners. However, the opposition’s momentum has continued with activists organizing several more protests throughout Venezuela.

Enough signatures have been collected to trigger the recall election, but the opposition has encountered delays from the country’s electoral authorities. The delay in scheduling the recall is due to a key date – January 10, 2017 – the halfway mark for Maduro’s six-year term. If he passes that milestone, Maduro’s Vice President, Aristóbulo Istúriz, would simply replace him as president instead of triggering new elections. Venezuelan activists are still organizing demonstrations, and are hoping to garner more attention from the international leaders that will be attending the 17th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. The summit will be held at the Venezuelan island, Margarita, from Sep. 13-18.

 

One of the leading Venezuelan protest organizers, Lilian Tintori, has continued to advocate on behalf of political prisoners in her country. Watch her accept an award from the Hague on behalf of Venezuelans who fights for their liberation.