Maduro Launches Arrest Campaign to Quell Electoral Fraud Allegations

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Wednesday night, early Tuesday morning in Spain, that security forces have detained several individuals behind "fascist plans" in the country amidst the crisis triggered by the presidential elections held at the end of July. Maduro claimed victory in these elections amid allegations of fraud by the opposition.

Maduro emphasized that several "criminals" have been arrested and stated that authorities will soon provide details about them, as reported by Venezuelan television network Globovisión.

"In the coming hours or days, you will learn about the criminal plans we are revealing in real-time and the criminals we are capturing. These are fascist plans," he said.

He highlighted that the arrests are being carried out thanks to the efforts of intelligence services and information provided by "the people," specifying that among the plans were actions intended to disrupt patients' right to health care.

Maduro indicated that the suspects aimed to affect care in hospitals and health centers, particularly targeting individuals undergoing dialysis. He also noted that a bone marrow transplant was performed at El Llanito hospital during the recent blackout, according to Venezuela's state news agency AVN.

On August 30th, 90% of the country experienced a nationwide blackout, an event that Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Ñáñez attributed to "sabotage against the electrical system" and a new "desperate and blind measure" to destabilize Venezuela.

The late July elections concluded with Maduro's victory amidst accusations from the opposition of massive fraud. Opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González claim that González was the true winner of the elections. International governments critical of Maduro still demand a detailed disclosure of the electoral records.