31 Jul 2024 | 11:46 PM UTC
Venezuela: Authorities impose further flight suspensions as of July 31 amid ongoing unrest following disputed presidential election results /update 5
Flight suspensions, demonstrations, clashes likely to continue across Venezuela into early August following disputed presidential election.
The Venezuelan government has imposed further international flight suspensions as of July 31 amid ongoing demonstrations and clashes following the nation's disputed July 28 presidential election. Effective July 31, all flights between Venezuela and Peru are suspended. Latam Airlines (LA) has canceled all its Caracas-Lima flights through at least Aug. 31. Flights to and from Panama and the Dominican Republic were suspended July 30.
Protests will likely continue and escalate, especially in major cities and along inter-city highways. Multiple clashes between demonstrators and police and armed civilian groups have been reported. Protesters will almost certainly continue burning tires or trash to block roads, and may destroy public property or commit other acts of vandalism. Disruptions to ground transport and business operations are possible. Reports indicate commercial activity has been significantly limited in Caracas, and other major cities. Flight suspensions will almost certainly cause extensive disruptions to international travel to and from Venezuela.
Officials could impose curfews or cut telecommunications services in an effort to curb widespread unrest. Authorities may also attempt to carry out mass arrests of protesters, as well as preemptively detain figures linked to the political opposition.
Plan for disruptions to flights transiting through Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic; consider making alternative transportation plans. Do not check out of accommodations until flights are confirmed. Avoid all gatherings as a standard precaution. Reconfirm the status of transport services and road routes before travel. If violence erupts in your area, depart the vicinity and seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Do not attempt to cross roadblocks set up by protesters. Heed the advice of officials. Maintain contact with diplomatic missions.
The National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral, CNE) has yet to release details of the July 28 presidential election, despite being required by law to do so no later than 48 hours after the election. The CNE announced late July 28 that President Nicolas Maduro received close to 52 percent of the vote, over opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who received 44 percent. However, the opposition coalition disputed the numbers, and has published detailed results of the election, based on printouts of most voting centers throughout the country. According to their results, Gonzalez Urrutia obtained more than 67 percent of the vote.
The Carter Center, one of the few independent electoral observers allowed in the Venezuela election, issued a statement late July 30 claiming the presidential election did not meet international standards and cannot be considered democratic. Multiple governments have also criticized the process, demanding the CNE to release details of the results. A spokesperson for the US National Security Council said the results announced by the CNE do not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people. US President Joe Biden spoke with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, and both feel the CNE must release the detailed voting data immediately. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, also issued a statement July 31, saying there are grave doubts about the election, and asked the Venezuelan government to allow a review of the results by all parties involved in the election and international observers.
On July 29, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil ordered all diplomatic staff from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republican, and Uruguay to leave Venezuela with immediate effect following these governments' refusal to accept the results of the election without a detailed accounting.
President Maduro requested Venezuela's highest court to conduct an audit of the election, and has insisted on his victory. He claimed the violence of the streets has been perpetrated by the opposition, and requested Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia to be arrested.
