Venezuela: Protest activity escalates, clashes reported after incumbent President Nicolas Maduro declared winner of July 28 presidential election /update 3

Election-related protest activity has escalated in Venezuela as of July 29 and will probably continue to affect major cities across the country into at least early August after the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral, CNE) declared incumbent President Nicolas Maduro as the winner of the July 28 presidential election with 51 percent of the vote. On July 29, thousands of people participated in demonstrations across the country to denounce the official election results, which opposition leaders suggested were fraudulent, several foreign governments refused to accept without a detailed accounting, and independent pollsters claimed were incongruent with exit polling, which instead showed a win for the opposition's Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. In Caracas, clashes erupted between protesters and police, with demonstrators hurling stones and other objects at security forces, who reportedly fired tear gas and live ammunition at protesters, including near the Miraflores Palace. Demonstrators also reportedly attempted to block routes to and from Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS), which serves the capital; consequent disruptions to flights and other airport operations are possible at CCS until protesters clear from the routes to and from the facility.

Similar protests, clashes, and roadblocks, as well as 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, in 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. 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.