Security forces in Venezuela have used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters demonstrating over Sunday’s controversial election results. On Monday evening, thousands gathered in central Caracas, with many walking for miles from the surrounding slums to the presidential palace.

The unrest began after President Nicolás Maduro declared himself the winner of the election, a claim disputed by the opposition. They argue that their candidate, Edmundo González, won decisively with 73.2% of the vote. Prior opinion polls had predicted a clear victory for González.

Opposition parties had rallied behind González in a bid to unseat Maduro, who has been in power for 11 years amid widespread frustration over the country’s economic crisis.

In response to the protests, a heavy presence of military and police forces was deployed in Caracas to disperse the crowds and block access to the presidential palace. Demonstrators chanted “freedom, freedom!” and called for the government’s removal. Videos from the scene showed burning tyres on highways and large groups of people on the streets, while police on motorbikes fired tear gas.