A caravan of protesters in La Vega, Venezuela, during the first two years of the revolution that declared Mara Corina Machado a president

For a second straight day, people poured into the streets in Venezuela to protest the country’s electoral results, but the defense minister promised to crack down on dissent and swore loyalty to President Nicols Maduro.

One of the greatest challenges has been posed by this election. The authorities did not recognize the January primaries in which Mara Corina Machado won, thus she was barred from running for president. Months later, after failed attempts at other replacements, the opposition eventually named a little-known diplomat as its candidate: Edmundo González.

The candidate himself often appeared as well with large crowds in the smallest towns to get their attention, as a result of her tour by car, and also the fact she was barred from air travel.

Machado and Gonzlez went to Las Mercedes from Vente Venezuela’s headquarters on a float. As they made their way, people got out of their cars in the middle of intersections to wave and take pictures. Motorcyclists joined the caravan. The streets were very full when they arrived on the main avenue. The caravan was literally pushed along by supporters in the crowd, stopping every few feet, as people ran up to give a flag, a rosary or another sentimental item to Machado.

With the exodus of many Venezuelans, migration was at the forefront during the campaign. Maduro blamed politicians like Machado for supporting U.S. sanctions against Venezuelan economic sectors and officials, which he said forced many people to leave the country.

The slogan “Volver a Casa,” which means “return home,” was created by Machado in reference to a desire in the growing diaspora. Eduany Pravda, 19, wore a shirt with this slogan to a local opposition rally in the Caracas neighborhood of La Vega earlier this week. “I’ve lived with my brother since I was 14,” she explained, tearing up. “Our parents had to leave for Colombia, to take care of us.”

There is a common sentiment that if change doesn’t occur, people will leave.

Local community organizers went to door to speak with people about the ballot and the parties that supported him. Both the opposition and the president held their closing events in Venezuela. A 12 hour event was set up in the central parts of the city. The musicians were from the city of Barinas and they played on the stages with percussionist Tambor Chang and the emcees playing songs from the previous campaigns. All led to Maduro’s appearance at Bolívar Avenue downtown, which filled up with people. Hundreds of buses lined the side streets, as attendees were brought in from all over the country.

Maryelis Bolvar de Flores, 65, held up her president sign as she told NPR that she loves him. He’s the only president who cares about us — the people, the poor, hardworking people.”

A Venezuelan protester’s last chance to get out of the Gnzalez-Machado mess and what his opponent had to say on Election Day

The crowds singing the national anthem at both rallies signaled that they were ready to vote for their candidate on Election Day.

National Electoral Council officials, local electoral overseers and volunteer witnesses worked to facilitate the voting process. Many were on high alert because of the stakes. Several local news sources and citizen journalists recorded voter intimidation in voting centers across the country. 15 men wearing black tried to block access to the voting center at a school in Venezuela, The New York Times reported.

“This is our last chance to get out of this mess” is what the 60-year-old told NPR after casting a ballot in the Catia neighborhood of Venezuela.

Edmundo Gnzalez won the election, according to a statement issued by Machado. We know this, we are aware of it. In every state, we know it. We know what happened today,” citing irregularities that bring the results into question.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the votes must be “counted fairly and transparently” and that “the international community is watching this very closely and will respond accordingly.”

The results in the dispute are uncertain. If people go onto the streets, they are aware of the history of protests being squashed by repressive government forces.

The First Day of the Election: Venezuelans voted out against the tyranny and the murder of Nicols Maduro

Lexi Parra is a photographer based in New York City and Venezuela. You can see more of her work on the internet as well as on social media.

In the lead-up to Sunday’s election day, anticipation was high all over the country. People were lined up outside of voting centers as early as 10PM the night before. After years of perceived apathy, there was a drive and hope in the air that brought large numbers of Venezuelans out to the polls.

As a result, allegations of fraud are multiplying and Venezuelans as well as foreign governments are calling on Maduro to release the official tally sheets from the more than 30,000 voting machines. During their meeting Monday, the envoy from Brazil said that the strongman had promised to give official data about the election.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke with President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Both agreed that the Venezuelan electoral authorities needed to release the polling data. According to the White House statement, they also agreed that the outcome of the Venezuelan election “represents a critical moment for democracy in the hemisphere.”

The report by the Organization of American States stated that the claims of victory made by the president were not trustworthy or to be democratically recognized.

Referring to the massive turnout in Sunday’s voting, Machado said in her speech: “Soldiers saw with their own eyes the country’s triumph over tyranny.”

But in a televised speech, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said it was time for Venezuelans to rally behind the homeland and the government. He stood before the army officers, wearing an olive-green uniform and field cap, and confirmed their loyalty and support for President Nicols Maduro.

Padrino López called the protesters coup-plotters allied with foreign enemies of Venezuela and warned: “We will take forceful action… to maintain internal order.”

Maduro himself made similar threats on Tuesday. I hold you responsible for everything that is happening in Venezuela, including criminal violence, the deaths, and the destruction. You and Machado need to be held responsible for any harm done. This attack on the people in Venezuela should not happen again.

The demonstrators ripped down billboards with the image of the President and destroyed statues of his mentor, the late HugoCh Chavez, who founded the revolution 25 years ago.

The president of a human rights group said that six people were killed in the clashes with security forces. Freddy Superlano was an opposition leader and a former state governor.

Berg: Maduro can’t run out the clock? Anti-government protests, global outrage, and the case for a new era in the United States

Ryan C. Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Maduro is trying to run out the clock. He predicted the president will try to “cement the facts on the ground” as he waits for anti-government demonstrations and international outrage to fade.