Assailants broke down doors and hauled away valuable documents and equipment in the raid around 3 a.m., opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s party said.
By REGINA GARCIA CANO and JOSHUA GOODMAN
CARACAS, Venezuela — Half a dozen masked assailants ransacked the headquarters of Venezuela’s opposition Friday in an escalation of violence against President Nicolás Maduro’s opponents after several countries called for proof of his claim he had won the disputed presidential election.
Assailants broke down doors and hauled away valuable documents and equipment in the raid around 3 a.m., opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s party said. Images published by Machado’s party on social media show several walls covered in black spray paint.
The raid follows threats by top officials, including Maduro, to arrest Machado, who has gone into hiding while still urging Venezuelans and the international community to challenge Sunday’s election results.
The families of detainees gather outside the Boleita National Police detention center after their loved ones were detained in recent days during opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A woman sits outside the Boleita National Police detention center after her boyfriend was arrested during recent opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. The line reflected in the motorcycle mirror is of relatives of other detainees also arrested during protests. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Detainees’ families gather outside the Boleita National Police detention center after their relatives were arrested during recent opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Police on a motorcycle leave the Boleita National Police detention center where some people arrested during recent opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election are held in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A woman plays with her dogs in the Santa Rosa de Agua neighborhood of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Monday, July 22, 2024. The country’s presidential election is set for July 28. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a news conference at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Brazil’s flag flies at Argentina’s embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Argentina announced that Brazil will guard its embassy after the Venezuelan government ordered its diplomatic personnel to leave the country after Argentina’s government questioned the transparency of the Venezuelan presidential election results. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The families of detainees gather outside the Boleita’s National Police detention center after their loved ones were detained in recent days during opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Franchesca Aponte, left, and her mother Lili Martínez hold hands outside the Boleita National Police detention center after their brother and son was arrested during recent opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A Venezuelan national holds a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: “Free Venezuela”, and “Out Maduro”, during a demonstration in support of opposition Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, in front of the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
A man walks by a mural depicting a ballot box, outside the headquarters of the National Electoral Council in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the country’s disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Children play a card game on a public beach in La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Commuters descend a stairway that lead to the subway in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A family take a selfie along a street adorned with an umbrella installation in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Brazil’s flag flies at Argentina’s embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Argentina announced that Brazil will guard its embassy after the Venezuelan government ordered its diplomatic personnel to leave the country after Argentina’s government questioned the transparency of the Venezuelan presidential election results. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Commuters travel on public transportation in the Catia neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Nathaly Diaz, center right, sits with her family on their home in the Cruz Alta neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
An aerial view of Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Franchesca Aponte writes a note to her brother outside the Boleita National Police detention center after he was arrested during opposition protests in recent days against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. The note from Aponte and her mother reads in Spanish “God bless you son. Your mother and sister are here. We love you.” (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Franchesca Aponte, left, and her mother Lili Martínez hold hands outside the Boleita National Police detention center after their brother and son was arrested during recent opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Police on a motorcycle leave the Boleita National Police detention center where some people arrested during recent opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election are held in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores arrive at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, right, and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez hold a press conference after electoral authorities declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The election campaign headquarters of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez stands after being ransacked overnight in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, five days after the disputed presidential election. Officials have threatened to arrest Machado who has gone into hiding. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Police hurdle a gas canister at protesters demonstrating against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection, the day after the vote in Caracas Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A man carries a protester affected by tear gas thrown by police during demonstrations against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection, the day after the vote, in the Caria neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Police aim at protesters demonstrating against the official election results after electoral authorities certified President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024, the day after the vote. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
A protester throws a gas canister back at police during demonstrations against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection, the day after the vote, in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Electoral officials tally votes after polls closed for presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Protesters demonstrate against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection, the day after the vote in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Protesters demonstrate against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection, the day after the vote in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Protesters demonstrating against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection ride through tear gas fired by police the day after the vote in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Protesters on motorcycles demonstrate against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro won reelection, the day after the vote in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
People protest the official results declaring President Nicolas Maduro was reelected, the day after the vote in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
A protester steps on a campaign sign of President Nicolas Maduro during a march against hish being declared the winner of the presidential election, the day after the vote in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
People protest the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election, the day after the vote in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Protesters demonstrate against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner, the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Protesters march against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner, the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. The sign reads in Spanish “Until the end. No dictator.” (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Protesters burn an election campaign poster of President Nicolas Maduro as they demonstrate against the official election results declaring him the winner the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Protesters demonstrate against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Residents watch protesters face off with National Guards to protest the official results the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro attends a ceremony at the National Electoral Council (CNE) that certifies him as the winner of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Residents throw objects at National Guards as they protest the official results the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Residents try to block a street to protest the official results the day after the presidential election as National Guards work to remove them in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Defense Minister Padrino Lopez attends the ceremony certifying Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the winner of the presidential election at the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives with his wife Cilia Flores for a ceremony where the National Electoral Council (CNE) certifies that he won the presidential election, at the CNE in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
National Guards work to disperse protesters the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Residents bang pots to protest the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Residents bang pots and pans to protest the day after the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, right, and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez hold a press conference after electoral authorities declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
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The families of detainees gather outside the Boleita National Police detention center after their loved ones were detained in recent days during opposition protests against the official results of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The Biden administration has thrown its support firmly behind the opposition, recognizing candidate Edmundo González as the victor and discrediting the National Electoral Council’s official results. González was tapped in April as a last-minute stand-in for Machado, who has been barred from running for political office for 15 years.
The U.S. announcement late Thursday followed calls from multiple governments, including Maduro’s close regional allies, for Venezuela’s electoral authorities to release precinct-level vote counts, as it has done during previous elections. On Friday, Uruguay recognized González as the winner.
The electoral body declared Maduro the winner Monday, but the main opposition coalition revealed hours later that it had collected copies of more than 80% of the country’s 30,000 voting tallies — printouts from the electronic voting machines — and that they show González prevailed by a more than 2-to-1 margin.
“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Maduro responded with a quick admonishment: “The United States needs to keep its nose out of Venezuela!”
González, whose location is also unknown, posted a message on X Friday thanking the U.S. “for recognizing the will of the Venezuelan people reflected in our electoral victory and for supporting the process of restoring democratic norms in Venezuela.”
On Friday, Venezuelan electoral authorities gave an updated vote count, but not the precinct-level tallies demanded.
National Electoral Council President Elvis Amoroso said that with 96.9% of tally sheets counted, Maduro’s margin of victory was more than 8 percentage points over González: 52% to 43.2%. He attributed the delay in updating results to “massive attacks” on the “technological infrastructure.”
Blinken’s announcement came amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts by Brazil, Colombia and Mexico to convince their fellow leftist to allow an impartial audit of the vote. On Thursday, the governments of the three countries issued a joint statement calling on Venezuela’s electoral authorities “to move forward expeditiously and publicly release” detailed voting data.
But it’s unclear what leverage the countries have over Maduro, who has shown little desire to rethink his entrenched position.
On Friday, Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the lower house of Russian parliament, emphasized that Russian election monitors have witnessed Maduro winning a legitimate victory. He accused the U.S. of fomenting tensions in the country.
“Washington is playing by its rules, which are aimed at maintaining its hegemony and expanding its influence,” Volodin said. “It doesn’t accept any other outcome but the victory of the candidate it backs.”
Although no ally or anyone in the armed forces has yet to break with Maduro over the contested elections, he faces huge obstacles righting Venezuela’s economy without the legitimacy that can only come from a credible election result.
Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest proven crude reserves and once boasted Latin America’s most advanced economy, but it entered into a free fall marked by 130,000% hyperinflation and widespread shortages after Maduro took the helm in 2013. More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014, the largest exodus in Latin America’s recent history.
U.S. oil sanctions have only deepened the misery and the Biden administration — which had been easing those restrictions — is now likely to ramp them up again unless Maduro agrees to some sort of transition.
“He’s counting on being able to wait this out and people will get tired of demonstrating,” said Cynthia Arnson, a distinguished fellow at the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank. “The problem is, the country is in a death spiral and there’s no chance the economy will be able to recover without the legitimacy that comes from a fair election.”
Thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets Monday after the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of the election. The government said it arrested hundreds of protesters and Venezuela-based human rights organization Foro Penal said 11 people were killed.
Machado and González addressed a huge rally of their supporters in the capital, Caracas, on Tuesday, but they have not been seen in public since. Later that day, the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, called for their arrest, describing them as criminals and fascists.
On Wednesday, Maduro asked Venezuela’s highest court to conduct an audit of the election, but that request drew almost immediate criticism from foreign observers who said the court — which like most institutions is controlled by the government — lacks the independence to perform a credible review.
On Thursday, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice agreed to conduct the audit and ordered Maduro, González and the eight other candidates who participated in the presidential election to appear before the justices Friday. A spokesman for Gonzalez said he did not know if the candidate planned to attend.
In an op-ed published Thursday in the Wall Street Journal, Machado said she is “hiding, fearing for my life, my freedom, and that of my fellow countrymen.” She reasserted that the opposition has physical evidence that Maduro lost the election and urged the international community to intervene.
“We have voted Mr. Maduro out,” she wrote. “Now it is up to the international community to decide whether to tolerate a demonstrably illegitimate government.”
Goodman reported from Medellin, Colombia. Associated Press correspondents María Verza in Mexico City and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed.
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