Venezuela: Officials expel foreign diplomats, announces flight suspensions amid disputed presidential election results as of July 30. Protests ongoing. /update 4

The Venezuelan government has announced flight suspensions and the expulsion of several foreign diplomats as of July 30 amid unrest surrounding the disputed July 28 presidential election. Authorities stated that flights between Venezuela and Panama and the Dominican Republic are suspended indefinitely from 20:00 July 30. Incumbent Foreign Minister Yvan Gil has ordered all diplomatic staff from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republican, and Uruguay to leave Venezuela with immediate effect; the expulsion is in response to these governments' refusal to accept the results of the election without a detailed accounting. The National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral, CNE) declared incumbent President Nicolas Maduro as the July 28 presidential election winner with 51 percent of the vote. However, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claimed that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez received 70 percent of the vote; independent pollsters have claimed official results are incongruent with exit polling.

Election-related protest activity has escalated and will probably continue affecting major cities nationwide through at least early August. On July 29, thousands of people participated in demonstrations across the country to denounce the official election results. In Caracas, including near the Miraflores Palace, clashes erupted between protesters and police, with demonstrators hurling stones and other objects at security forces, who responded with tear gas and live ammunition. Demonstrators also reportedly attempted to block routes to and from Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS), which serves the capital; disruptions to flights and other airport operations are possible at CCS until protesters clear the impacted routes.

Similar protests, clashes, roadblocks, and acts of vandalism, will probably occur in locations across Venezuela over the coming days, especially in and around Caracas and other major cities. Civil unrest will most likely materialize on major roads, public squares, and near government buildings and other key infrastructure. Authorities will almost certainly maintain a heightened security presence in major cities, including at the sites of any significant protests that materialize. Disruptions to ground transport and business operations will likely affect areas subject to significant protest activity and heightened security measures. Flight suspensions will almost certainly cause extensive disruptions to passenger movement in and out of Venezuela, as most flights transit through Panama and the Dominican Republic. Disruptions to consular services for citizens of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay are almost certain. Further diplomatic expulsions are possible, particularly for countries critical of the election results.

Officials could impose curfew orders or cut telecommunications services to curb widespread unrest. Authorities may also attempt to carry out mass arrests of protesters as well as detain figures linked to the political opposition.