Venezuelans hold vigil at Budapest Basilica to honour regime victims

On August 7th 2024, about 130 members of the Venezuelan community in Budapest gathered in front of Saint Stephen’s Basilica, on a vigil to pay tribute to those killed in the post-election protests since July 28th as a result of the brutal repression of the Venezuelan regime against innocent people who were just exercising their free right to demonstrate and demand the will of the people to be respected. The gathering was organized by the civic movements ‘Viva Venezuela Hungria’ and ‘Comando Hungria Venezuela’.

Venezuelans in Budapest hold a vigil for regime victims

Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.

Volunteers started reading the names of the 24 victims who were killed by the security forces and paramilitary groups supporting Maduro’s regime (National Guard, National Police and ‘Colectivos’). Then played traditional Venezuelan music as a tribute to the fallen and started lighting with candles the Venezuelan map honouring the victims of the post-electoral protests, as well as many other victims of the regime in past years. According to the Foro Penal the victims until today (August 16th 2024), there are 1406 verified and identified arrests have been registered, of which 117 are teenagers and 24 have died (Euronews and Provea NGO).

In the last few weeks, during and after the elections, ‘Viva Venezuela Hungría’ and ‘Comando Venezuela Hungría’ have been responsible for organizing various events, the first one was a contact point during the election day 28 July 2024, to inform people how to vote, and to stay updated on election day. On July 31st  a citizens assembly was organized in Hero’s Square. Information about the vigil can be found here (video posted on Facebook event).

On August 17th 2024 Venezuelans held a worldwide protest called “Ganó Venezuela – Gran Protesta Mundial por la Verdad / Venezuela Won, World Protest for the Truth”. Until today 300 cities have joined the protests (Un Mundo Sin Mordaza, NGO). It’s a crucial moment that the diaspora cannot waste, Venezuelans inside the country are being strongly repressed for manifesting, including minors and people with Down syndrome, who are being arrested after the police and national authorities check their mobile phones and find anything related to María Corina Machado or Edmundo Gonzalez.

More than 20,000 passports of Venezuelans inside and outside the country have been annulled because of their active role in protests. Most detentions (18%) occurred in the capital district, followed by the states of Carabobo and Anzoátegui. Data from the Attorney General’s office indicates that at least 2,200 people, indiscriminately labelled as ‘terrorists’, have been detained (United Nations news). 

Organizations like the United Nations have publicly shared an expert report stating the following:

The Venezuelan Government must immediately end escalating repression that has come in the wake of the disputed presidential election last month, a UN Human Rights Council-appointed body investigating alleged rights abuses there, said on Monday.

To all the deceased, peace to their souls and eternal rest. To those arrested, the Venezuelan diaspora—nearly 8 million people worldwide—demands their immediate release.

About the August 17 gathering

The gathering yesterday at Deák Ferenc Square was a success: about 440 Venezuelans showed up. Participants read the declaration, showed their pamphlets and information to the general public, and closed the event. Today, on August 18, there will be a mass in Spanish (the usual mass) for the fallen. These weekend activities are the ones planned so far.

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