Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on Monday accused opposition groups of orchestrating attacks on the country’s diplomatic facilities in five nations. The claim comes just days after President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third term, despite allegations of electoral irregularities.
In a statement, Gil alleged that grassroots groups referred to as “comanditos” – small commandos – were responsible for the vandalism. However, he provided no direct evidence to support these accusations. The incidents reportedly targeted Venezuelan diplomatic missions in Portugal, Germany, Spain, Colombia, and Costa Rica.
Gil urged authorities in these countries to expedite their investigations, identify those responsible, and safeguard Venezuela’s diplomatic facilities. He did not specify when the attacks occurred but emphasized the government’s concern over the incidents.
In Portugal, law enforcement is investigating a weekend attack on Venezuela’s consulate in Lisbon, where a small incendiary device caused minor damage to the building’s façade. Portugal’s Foreign Ministry condemned the act, calling it “intolerable” and announced heightened security measures around the area.
Portugal is home to a significant Venezuelan-Portuguese immigrant community, with over 200,000 registered nationals, excluding descendants born in Venezuela. This deep connection has fueled interest in political developments between the two nations.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry also released images purportedly showing the vandalism. One image featured a Venezuelan flag defaced with spray paint bearing the name “Edmundo,” referencing Edmundo González, the opposition candidate widely recognized by international observers as the legitimate winner of Venezuela’s presidential election in July.
The disputed election has intensified tensions. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, dominated by Maduro loyalists, declared him the winner shortly after polls closed. However, opposition groups released data from 85% of electronic voting machines, showing González had secured a decisive victory by a two-to-one margin.
Independent observers, including UN experts and the US-based Carter Center, affirmed the legitimacy of the opposition’s tally sheets. These findings have further undermined Maduro’s claims of victory and fueled dissent both domestically and internationally.
The “comanditos” groups, which were initially formed to boost voter turnout and promote opposition campaigns, have now been implicated in acts of sabotage against government facilities. While no concrete evidence has been presented linking them to the recent incidents, the accusations reflect the heightened political divisions within Venezuela.
The international response to the alleged attacks has varied. Some governments have reinforced security around Venezuelan embassies and consulates, while others have remained silent, possibly wary of further inflaming tensions.
As investigations proceed, the Maduro administration’s allegations highlight the ongoing struggles for legitimacy and control in Venezuela. The incidents underscore the broader implications of the country’s political crisis, which continues to ripple across borders, affecting its diaspora and international relations.
