Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election on Sunday, but the announcement was swiftly contested by the opposition and key international figures.
Maduro, who secured re-election with 51.2% of the vote, faced claims of fraud and political intimidation throughout the campaign. Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who garnered 44.2%, and his supporters rejected the results, asserting they won with 70% of the vote.
In a speech to his supporters at the presidential palace, Maduro proclaimed, “I am Nicolas Maduro Moros, the re-elected president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. There will be peace, stability, and justice.”
However, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado denounced the result as “another fraud,” insisting that Gonzalez Urrutia was the true winner. The opposition has vowed to continue their fight for what they claim is the true will of the Venezuelan people.
Regional and international reactions were mixed. Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and Chile’s president criticized the results as “fraudulent” and “hard to believe,” respectively. Peru recalled its ambassador for consultations, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed “serious concerns” about the vote’s legitimacy. The EU’s Josep Borrell called for “full transparency in the electoral process.”
In contrast, Venezuela’s allies, including China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Bolivia, congratulated Maduro on his victory.
The election results came as a surprise to many, as independent polls had suggested an end to the 25-year Chavismo era, initiated by Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, presides over a nation facing severe economic hardships, with a drastic drop in GDP and millions of citizens fleeing the country.
Accusations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses have followed Maduro, including reports of political prisoners and repression of opposition figures. The voting process itself faced scrutiny, with opposition monitors alleging irregularities and delays.
The election, a result of a negotiated deal between the government and opposition, had seen temporary sanctions relief from the US. However, sanctions were reinstated after Maduro failed to meet agreed conditions.
The international community remains divided as Venezuela’s future hangs in the balance, with many watching closely as the country grapples with economic instability and political tension.
