Police in Aurora monitor large gathering related to Venezuelan presidential election

DENVER (KDVR) — Aurora police monitored a large gathering of people on Havana Street and Mississippi Avenue in connection with the Venezuelan presidential election.

On Sunday, Venezuela’s opposition and the government of President Nicolas Maduro were locked in a high-stakes confrontation after both sides claimed victory in a presidential election that millions saw as their best chance to end 25 years of one-party rule. On the streets of Venezuela, the results from the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council were greeted with a mix of anger, tears and loud pot-banging.

In Aurora, police were called to monitor a large group that gathered in the parking lot of a Target on Havana and Mississippi ahead of the election. Officers said they were there to make sure the scene didn’t get out of hand.

Aurora police said there were reports of shots fired, but officers said they were from people shooting into the air. No injuries were reported at the rally.

Target and other nearby businesses decided to close early as a precaution.

Following Venezuela’s elections, the US has postponed recognition of Sunday’s election results.

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet released a statement about the confrontation.

“I applaud the Venezuelan people for trying to restore the rule of law and democracy. The National Electoral Council of Venezuela must quickly release detailed results so that Venezuelans at home and abroad can have confidence in the outcome,” Bennet said on X.

The election will have ramifications across the Americas, where both opponents and supporters of the administration have signaled they want to join the millions of Venezuelans who have already left their crisis-ravaged homelands for opportunities abroad, should Maduro win another six-year term.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.