Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's victory in Sunday's election has been met with widespread skepticism and allegations of fraud. The official vote tally, showing Maduro with 51.2% of the vote, has been disputed by the opposition, which claims to have won with 70% of the vote.
Polls leading up to the election consistently showed opposition candidate Edmundo González in the lead by double-digit margins. However, when the National Electoral Council announced Maduro as the winner with 51% of the vote, tensions escalated.
The opposition, backed by international leaders, has condemned the election results as fraudulent. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the situation, calling it a foreign policy fiasco.
The electoral authority, controlled by Maduro loyalists, has faced criticism for not immediately publishing results from all polling stations, hindering the opposition's ability to challenge the outcome. Opposition leaders maintain that they have evidence of a significant victory for González.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed serious concerns about the election outcome, stating that it may not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people. He called for the immediate release of full results and hinted at potential international responses.
Leaders from various countries, including Argentina and Panama, have denounced Maduro's victory and called for a review of the voting records. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele labeled the election as fraudulent and urged the international community to take action.
Protests have erupted in Venezuela following the announcement of Maduro's win, with many disputing the legitimacy of the results. The situation remains tense as the opposition and international community continue to challenge the election outcome.
