CARACAS, Venezuela – The stakes have intensified for Venezuela’s electoral authority to substantiate its decision declaring President Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential election. This comes after the United States recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the rightful victor, challenging the official results.
On Thursday, the U.S. recognition of González followed demands from several governments, including Maduro’s close allies, for Venezuela’s National Electoral Council to release detailed vote counts, as traditionally done.
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Maduro was declared the winner on Monday by the electoral body. However, the main opposition coalition countered shortly after, presenting evidence that over two-thirds of the tally sheets from electronic voting machines indicated a different outcome.
Blinken’s Statement on Venezuela’s Presidential Election:
“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” stated U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Maduro responded swiftly, admonishing, “The United States needs to keep its nose out of Venezuela!”
The U.S. announcement coincides with diplomatic efforts urging Maduro to release vote tallies and increasing calls for an independent review of the election results, according to officials from Brazil and Mexico.
Officials from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico have been in continuous communication with Maduro’s administration, advocating for transparency in the election results and impartial verification. A Brazilian official, speaking anonymously, revealed that presenting the vote tally sheets is seen as essential to dispel any doubts about the results.
On Thursday, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico jointly urged Venezuela’s electoral authorities to “expeditiously and publicly release” detailed voting data, emphasizing the need for impartial verification to respect the principle of popular sovereignty.
Following the National Electoral Council’s declaration of Maduro’s victory, thousands of opposition supporters protested, leading to arrests and fatalities. Human rights organization Foro Penal reported 11 deaths and numerous arrests, including former opposition candidate Freddy Superlano.
Opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and González addressed supporters in Caracas but have since gone into hiding. Machado, barred from running for president, reasserted in an op-ed her belief in González’s victory and urged international intervention.
Maduro has requested Venezuela’s highest court to conduct an election audit, a move criticized by foreign observers due to the court’s close alignment with his government. The court accepted the request and summoned all candidates for a hearing.
Despite the electoral council reporting Maduro’s victory with 5.1 million votes against González’s 4.4 million, Machado claims tally sheets show González received approximately 6.2 million votes, compared to Maduro’s 2.7 million.
The electoral dispute adds to Venezuela’s ongoing crisis. The nation, once prosperous, has faced economic collapse, social unrest, and mass emigration under Maduro’s rule, with over 7.7 million Venezuelans having fled since 2014.
As international pressure mounts, the release of detailed vote counts remains a critical step towards resolving the electoral controversy and addressing the broader crisis in Venezuela.
Key Points:
- U.S. Recognition: The United States has recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election, challenging the official declaration of Nicolás Maduro’s victory.
- Demand for Transparency: Multiple governments, including allies of Maduro, have called for Venezuela’s National Electoral Council to release detailed vote counts and allow for an independent review of the election results.
- Opposition Response: The opposition coalition claims to have evidence contradicting the official results, highlighting discrepancies in the tally sheets from electronic voting machines.
- International Diplomacy: Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to promote transparency and urge Venezuela to release voting data for impartial verification.
- Political Tensions: Following the election, there were protests by opposition supporters, leading to arrests and fatalities. Opposition leaders, including Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo González, have faced threats and gone into hiding.
- Economic and Social Context: Venezuela, once prosperous with abundant oil reserves, has suffered economic collapse, hyperinflation, shortages, and significant emigration under Maduro’s administration.
- Legal Challenges: Maduro has requested an audit of the election by Venezuela’s highest court, a move criticized as lacking independence due to the court’s alignment with his government.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The crisis in Venezuela has led to widespread humanitarian issues, including mass emigration and social unrest, impacting millions of Venezuelans.
