ISTANBUL

Venezuela is in political turmoil following the contentious presidential election on July 28, with President Nicolas Maduro clamping down with a firm hand to quell widespread protests and riots, resulting in the death of 24 people, including two soldiers, and the arrest of more than 2,200 protesters.

The international community and observers questioned the legitimacy of the election results announced a day after the election, which opposition parties rejected.

However, Maduro dismissed criticism in a TV program on Tuesday, saying security forces are taking a hard line against those who damage public property and set fires in the streets.

He announced that 2,229 people arrested in the aftermath of Venezuela's presidential election would be transferred to high-security Tocoron and Tocuyito prisons.

He claimed the detainees had harmed hospitals, schools, universities, police stations, municipal buildings, and party offices.

"In the incidents of violence, 47 soldiers and 59 police officers were injured, and two military personnel lost their lives. This time, no one will escape punishment, and justice will be served,” he warned, blaming the opposition for the violence and urging the judiciary to act.

However, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of the United Democratic Platform (PUD) claimed that her party's candidate had won the presidential election, and she urged the military to respect the people's will.

An independent NGO Provea reported that 24 people have died in demonstrations since July 29.

Response of Venezuelan defense minister to opposition leader

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said in a state television program on Tuesday that everyone should respect the results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE) and strongly condemn the incidents of violence.

Lopez declared his "high loyalty" to President Maduro, claiming that the president was reelected by popular vote, and condemned protesters for repeatedly attacking the military and police during the protests.

Maduro deletes WhatsApp from his phone

During a special television broadcast on Tuesday, President Maduro removed the WhatsApp application in front of cameras, saying it had been used to threaten soldiers, police officers, and community leaders, and urged the public to delete the app voluntarily and gradually.

He urged Venezuelan families, youth, and patriots to "get rid of WhatsApp," claiming that it shared a list of Venezuelans with Colombian drug traffickers and imperialists, and instead recommended Telegram and WeChat.

His remarks were received with a "huge" round of applause from those in the studio.

He "strongly" disagrees with the EU's remarks, which said the July 28 election results would not be recognized until official records were released.

According to national media, Maduro condemned EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell's remarks as "scandalous."

He accused the EU of perpetuating its usual excuses and compared it to the EU's previous support for Juan Guaido, calling it a new “disgrace.”

On Aug. 5, the EU stated that it would not recognize the presidential election results until official records were published.

The EU’s statement underlined that international election observation reports had clearly shown that the July 28 presidential election did not meet international standards.

Opposition leader vows not to back down until victory achieved

Opposition leader Machado declared that she would not retreat until her party’s victory was acknowledged.

She reiterated that Edmundo Gonzalez, the PUD candidate, had won the election, and accused the electoral authority of failing to reflect the truth.

Machado urged her supporters to keep fighting "without surrendering," asserting that reality could not be changed and that they must defend their victory until it was recognized.

Top court summons 10 presidential candidates

The Supreme Court of Venezuela, or TSJ, has summoned the 10 presidential candidates who ran in the election. In response to allegations of election fraud, the TSJ announced that the official election results would be shared with the candidates, but warned that those who failed to appear would face legal action.

According to media reports, President Maduro and the other eight candidates are expected to appear before the Supreme Court.

However, it is unclear whether Edmundo Gonzalez will comply with the court orders. Gonzalez has claimed in online publications that his party won the election with 67%.

According to state television Venezolana, CNE President Elvis Amoroso has submitted election records to the TSJ.

Maduro won the presidential election for the third time on July 28, with 51.20% of the vote, according to the National Electoral Council's results announced on July 29.

The opposition claimed that the CNE's data was inaccurate and that the results were manipulated. Opposition coalition candidate Gonzalez and leader Machado had both rejected the election results.