WILLEMSTAD - Refugee organizations are bracing for a new wave of Venezuelans fleeing their country after incumbent President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of Sunday's election by his own government officials. According to official reports which were not reviewed by international organizations, Maduro received 51% of the votes compared to 44% for opposition leader María Corina Machado.
The election results stand in stark contrast to independent polls, but many had already expected that vote counting would be manipulated to ensure Maduro's victory. In recent months, there had been a glimmer of hope among opponents of his authoritarian regime. However, there are now fears about the potential reaction of security forces if large-scale protests erupt.
Many of the 7 million Venezuelans who have fled abroad were dreaming of returning home. However, a new exodus is now anticipated. Over the past few years, an estimated 30,000 Venezuelans have sought refuge in Curaçao and Aruba, where they are considered 'illegal'. Human rights organizations regularly sound the alarm over the inhumane treatment they face in these locations.