With the results of the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election being contested, all eyes are on Venezuela. Massive protests have broken out across the country against Nicolás Maduro trying to extend his presidency another six years. Many Venezuelan artists like Arca, Danny Ocean, Joaquina, and more have since spoken out about the election results.
On July 28, the elections were held to determine Venezuela’s next president. The two leading candidates were Maduro, who has been called a dictator that exacerbated the country’s economic collapse, and his opposition Edmundo González Urrutia. Exit polls showed González leading the race, with many Venezuelans seeing him as a sign of change to stop Maduro’s 11-year reign. Later that evening, the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced that Maduro won a third term with 51 percent of the votes to González’s 44 percent. Yesterday, González’s side claimed to have more than 70 percent of the voting tally sheets that showed he received 6.2 million votes while Maduro received 2.7 million votes.
As the results of the election remain in doubt, many Venezuelans have taken to the streets to protest Maduro and the alleged electoral fraud. Venezuelan artists have also posted their reactions to the results and protests. In an Instagram post, Arca wrote, “For all those who need yet another reminder that the Venezuelan government has yet again fraudulently announced maduro as winner – it was a b[l]atantly rigged election.”
In the days leading up to the election, Ocean released the EP Venequia, which talked about the struggles that Venezuelan refugees face from trying to relocate to other countries. While calling for the military to not get violent with the protesters, he added, “We’re not falling for that game. We’re not falling for that psychological warfare. That’s what they want! WE KNOW THIS IS [ELECTION] FRAUD.”
Joaquina made history last November as the youngest person to win Best New Artist at the Latin Grammy Awards. The singer-songwriter, who is now based in Miami, opened up about her hopes for Venezuela’s future. “One of my greatest desires is for Venezuela to be free so that the next Venezuelan generations can feel that they can grow, flourish, work, study in THEIR country and enjoy it without having to leave,” Joaquina wrote on X.
Lasso posted a video on his X account where he asked for the “will of the people who want change to be respected.” Other Venezuelan artists that have spoken out online include La Cruz, Akapellah, Big Soto, Micro TDH, Elena Rose, and Mau y Ricky.