Venezuela's Maduro faces political meltdown: Rivals claim election 'fraud' proof, police crackdown on protests

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Protests have broken out across the country as both sides of the Venezuela presidential election claim victory, with opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez claiming he has proof that he won.

"The voice of the Venezuelan people has been clear through their votes, yet the morally bankrupt dictatorship remains deaf to their cries," Isaias Medina III, a former Venezuelan diplomat on the United Nations Security Council and Harvard fellow, told Fox News Digital.

"The regime has not only defrauded the election results but has also begun persecuting the courageous leaders who ignited the flame of freedom," Medina said. "In a remarkable display of unity and defiance, spontaneous marches flood the streets, as citizens fervently plead for liberty and the chance to rebuild a nation where families can reunite in prosperity."

"The international community must amplify its pressure on this tyrannical regime and stand with the righteous people of Venezuela," Medina insisted. "Global leaders must unite in condemning these injustices and support Venezuela's quest for freedom and democracy."

EXPERTS FEAR VENEZUELA'S MADURO COULD STEAL SUNDAY'S ELECTION AS OPPOSITION LEADS IN POLLS

"The time has come for decisive action to ensure the voices of the oppressed are heard and the light of justice prevails again," he added.

Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Monday claimed