In an effort to maintain control amidst widespread protests, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has launched a criminal investigation against opposition leaders who contested the recent election. The country's top prosecutor, Attorney General Tarek Saab, announced the probe, citing allegations that the opposition leaders incited police and military officials to break the law.

The investigation comes after opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and leader Maria Corina Machado posted a letter on social media platform X, calling for security forces to support the people and respect the election results they claim to have won. Since Maduro declared victory in the July 28 vote, angry protests have erupted across Venezuela, demanding his resignation and the recognition of Gonzalez's alleged win.

To curb the unrest, Venezuelan security forces have initiated a targeted operation, informally known as "knock-knock", against those they accuse of committing violent acts during the protests. However, advocacy groups have expressed concern over the operation, stating that it has resulted in a climate of fear among protesters. Three advocacy groups have reported that security forces are intensively pursuing protesters, including minors, who are being denied access to legal representation and, in some cases, charged with terrorism.

Maduro and his officials have defended "knock-knock" as a means to crack down on what they describe as "fascist criminals" responsible for the violence at the protests. Gonzalo Himiob, the vice president of legal advocacy group Foro Penal, referred to the operation as a form of escalating repression, explaining that the name is symbolic of the abrupt and intimidating early morning raids conducted by security forces.

Venezuela's electoral authority, accused by the opposition of favoring the ruling socialists, announced that Maduro was reelected with approximately 51% of the vote, defeating Gonzalez. However, the opposition claims that their own meticulous count indicated that Gonzalez likely received 67% of the vote, with a margin of nearly 4 million votes - more than double Maduro's support. These figures align with independent exit polls. While Russia and China have extended congratulations to Maduro on his reelection, most Western countries have refrained from recognizing the results, calling for the full release of voting data.

Amidst escalating tensions, the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has asserted that there is "overwhelming evidence" supporting Gonzalez's victory, and Washington recognizes him as the legitimate winner of the election. The next presidential term in Venezuela is scheduled to begin in January 2025.

According to Maduro, around 2,000 individuals have been arrested during the protests, a number contested by human rights organizations. Foro Penal confirmed 1,010 arrests, while Human Rights Watch reported at least 20 deaths. In a joint letter signed by Gonzalez and Machado, the two opposition leaders appealed to the military and the police, urging them to align with the people and their own families. However, the military has remained loyal to Maduro, who, in a televised broadcast, called upon them to ensure order prevails.

As Venezuela's government takes a hardline approach to maintain its hold on power, advocacy groups warn that this indicates a determination to crush social discontent. The attorney general's office has dismissed the arrested individuals as not being protesters but violent criminals responsible for vandalism, including the toppling of statues depicting former president Hugo Chavez, Maduro's mentor. Venezuelan authorities have also reported the deaths of two military personnel.

In an unexpected move, Maduro announced on Monday that he would leave the messaging application WhatsApp for Telegram, alleging that WhatsApp was being used to threaten the families of soldiers and police officers. He encouraged others to do the same and make the switch.

The latest developments in Venezuela reveal a deepening political and social crisis as the government intensifies its efforts to maintain control while facing opposition demands for change and allegations of electoral manipulation.