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Maduro Opponents Claim Big Turnout in Venezuelan Protest

Associated Press

   CARACAS, VENEZUELA - Droves of Venezuelans blaming President Nicolás
   Maduro for their country's collapse voiced their frustrations Saturday
   in a creative protest days after legislative elections they boycotted
   as fraudulent.

   In the so-called "people's consultation," U.S.-backed opposition leader
   Juan Guaidó urged Venezuelans at home and around the world to register
   their ire through cellphone apps. Others visited makeshift polling
   stations in cities across Venezuela and in other Latin American
   nations, the U.S. and Europe.

   "Hope has been mobilized in Venezuela," Guaidó said shortly before the
   results were announced. "We must underscore a heroic people who
   mobilized throughout the country and the world in defense of their
   rights."

   Opposition leaders reported that nearly 6.5 million people responded to
   the survey. The Associated Press could not independently verify the
   validity of the figures, and even some opposition election experts
   questioned the number.

   The opposition's report said more than 3.2 million participated in
   person within Venezuela and nearly 850,000 visited centers outside the
   country, while more than 2.5 million sent in their responses digitally.

   The survey asked whether people want to end Maduro's rule and hold
   fresh presidential and legislative elections, and also seek even
   greater pressure from international allies to make it happen.

   Though the event had no legal force, opposition leaders said the survey
   would unify the foes of Maduro. That includes the 5 million Venezuelans
   who have fled the nation's hyperinflation and lack of basic services
   such as reliable running water, electricity and gasoline, they said.

   Mirla De Lorenzo, a bank employee, visited a center in her Caracas
   neighborhood to participate, saying she would take any opportunity to
   express herself if there was any chance it could bring international
   attention to Venezuela's plight and trigger an end to Maduro's rule.

   "We're definitely tired of this situation that's brought us nothing but
   poverty," she said, adding that her daughter moved to Spain and her
   sister migrated to Chile, among relatives who have fled the crisis.

   The consultation came days after Maduro's ruling socialist party
   declared victory in congressional elections that Guaidó's coalition
   boycotted, arguing the vote was a fraud. The United States and European
   Union are among nations and regional bodies that rejected the elections
   as undemocratic.

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