Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a statement that Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, and not current President Nicolás Maduro, won the country’s presidential election. This declaration came after widespread protests erupted following Maduro’s claim of victory on July 28. The United States, along with numerous regional governments, cast doubt on the election results, believing that Maduro lost before declaring himself the winner. Government officials from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico have been pressuring Maduro to reveal the vote tally sheets from the election and allow impartial verification to dispel any doubts about the legitimacy of the results. Argentina’s President Javier Milei has also supported the anti-Maduro protests.
Maduro’s request for Venezuela’s highest court to conduct an audit of the election was criticized by foreign observers, who believed that the court was too close to the government to produce an independent review. Polls leading up to the election consistently showed that opposition candidate Edmundo González was leading by double-digit margins. Despite this, the National Electoral Council, controlled by Maduro loyalists, announced that Maduro had received 51% of the vote compared to González’s 44%. The opposition has published tally sheets from polling stations indicating that González received the most votes by a significant margin.
The State Department issued a statement expressing concern over the lack of evidence to support Maduro’s victory in the election. They highlighted that opposition parties had provided tally sheets from over 80% of polling stations, indicating González’s lead. Since the election, protesters have taken to the streets, leading to a heavy-handed response from authorities in some cases. Blinken called for the protection of opposition leaders, the release of arrested protesters, and a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. He urged Venezuelan parties to begin discussions on a respectful transition in accordance with electoral law and the wishes of the people.
The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with ongoing protests and accusations of election fraud. The United States and other countries have called for transparency and impartial verification of the election results to ensure a fair outcome. Despite Maduro’s claim of victory, the opposition and international community continue to question the legitimacy of the election and support the demands of the Venezuelan people. The focus now is on a peaceful transition of power and the protection of democratic principles in Venezuela. As tensions remain high, the future of the country’s leadership hangs in the balance, with both sides advocating for their legitimacy and the support of their constituents.
