On Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that a Venezuelan opposition leader, rather than socialist Nicolás Maduro, who is Hugo Chavez’s successor, has emerged victorious in the country’s presidential election. Since July 28, Maduro has proclaimed his victory and issued threats towards the opposition, leading to extensive protests.
“The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that Edmundo González Urrutia received the highest number of votes in Venezuela’s presidential election on July 28,” Blinken commented.
It is widely believed that Maduro lost before declaring his win, and many regional governments have expressed skepticism regarding the election results.
EXPERTS ARE CONCERNED THAT MADURO MIGHT DISTORT SUNDAY’S ELECTION OUTCOMES AS THE OPPOSITION SHOWS LEAD IN POLLS
President Nicolas Maduro casts his vote in the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 28, 2024. (AP)
Officials from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico have been urging Maduro’s administration to disclose the vote tally sheets from Sunday’s election and allow for unbiased verification, according to a Brazilian government representative who spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday. This step would clear any uncertainties regarding the results, the official stated. Additionally, Argentina’s newly elected libertarian President Javier Milei has called for the continuation of anti-Maduro protests.
On Wednesday, Maduro requested Venezuela’s highest court to perform an audit of the election, but this appeal was quickly criticized by international observers who argued that the court is too closely aligned with the government to conduct an independent assessment.
Surveys conducted throughout the summer have consistently indicated that opposition candidate Edmundo González was leading by substantial margins.
When the National Electoral Council, which is dominated by Maduro’s supporters, announced around midnight that Maduro had secured 51% of the votes, compared to the 44% of main opposition candidate González, council President Elvis Amoroso claimed that these results were based on 80% of voting locations and indicated an irreversible trend.
VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS’ DISTURBING CRIMES CONTINUE AS MADURO REFUSES TO ACCEPT BACK ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM THE US
Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition’s presidential candidate, leaves the polling place accompanied by his wife, Mercedes Lopez, and daughter Mariana after casting his vote in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 28, 2024. (AP)
“In contrast, the democratic opposition has released over 80% of the tally sheets obtained directly from polling stations throughout Venezuela,” Blinken stated. “These sheets indicate that Edmundo González Urrutia received a clear majority of votes in this election.”
“The CNE’s swift announcement of Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the presidential election occurred without any corroborating evidence,” the State Department mentioned on Thursday. “In the aftermath of the election, we have consulted extensively with allies and partners globally, and while responses have varied, no nation has concluded that Nicolás Maduro won the most votes in this election.”
Following the election, demonstrators have taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the results, which has prompted a strong reaction from authorities in various instances. Blinken urged the government to safeguard opposition leaders such as González and María Corina Machado, ensure the release of detained protesters, and promote a peaceful transfer of power.
Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado showcase their photos during a campaign rally in Maracaibo on July 23, 2024. (Raul Arboldea/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Now is the time for Venezuelan parties to initiate conversations regarding a respectful and peaceful transition in line with Venezuelan electoral law and the preferences of the Venezuelan populace,” Blinken asserted.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
