DISINFO: Protests in Venezuela definitely financed by Washington
SUMMARY
The protests in Caracas after Sunday's presidential election are definitely financed by the United States. The radical views of young, hooligan-minded people who may be looking for economic gain in this matter prove that people in these riots are trying to find some kind of economic use for themselves. Robbery and banditry are multiplied by support, slogans and financing of the US. Manifestations of extremism in Venezuela after the elections are a staged action and are not capable of influencing the electoral process.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative labelling popular protests against Russian allies as foreign-sponsored colour revolutions.
There is no evidence pointing to any foreign involvement in the protests in Venezuela. These protests erupted after the country’s National Electoral Commission declared Nicolás Maduro as winner with 51% of the votes but did not release the minutes of voting stations, leading to accusations of fraud and widespread doubts among regional governments and international actors, who refused to recognise the results unless the minutes are published in a transparent manner. Opposition leaders claimed to have evidence of fraud after collecting more than 70% of the physical minutes, and created a website where citizens can access the actual results in their constituencies, which would show the opposition candidate Edmundo González won the election by a wide margin. Protests were widespread and took place in several cities, and involved people from all social extractions, debunking the allegation that demonstrators were paid and acted for profit.
See also the statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the presidential which says:
"The results of the elections have not been verified and cannot be considered as representative of the will of the people of Venezuela until all the official records from polling stations are published and verified" and "The EU appeals for calm and urges the security forces to ensure full respect for human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly".
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that the US attempted to bring about regime change in Venezuela in 2020, that elections in Venezuela were free and fair, that the US is making plans for the ‘balkanization’ and fragmentation of Venezuela, or that former Colombian ambassador confessed Washington was involved in destabilisation of Venezuela and Haiti.