U.S. Officially Declares Edmundo González Winner of Venezuelan Presidential Election, Challenging Maduro’s Victory Amidst Electoral Dispute
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
6 minutes read. Updated 9:02AM GMT Fri, 2August, 2024
The United States officially recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the victor of Venezuela’s recent presidential election. This announcement directly contradicts the official results declared by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, which had announced President Nicolás Maduro as the winner.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed, “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.”
The National Electoral Council, aligned with Maduro’s administration, had initially declared him the victor of the highly contested election. However, González, alongside opposition leader María Corina Machado, contends that they possess more than two-thirds of the tally sheets printed by electronic voting machines, suggesting significant discrepancies in the reported results.
The U.S. recognition of González comes amid mounting international pressure and diplomatic efforts led by Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. These countries have been actively engaging with Maduro’s government, urging transparency by demanding the release of the vote tally sheets and an independent review of the election results.
A Brazilian government official, speaking under anonymity, revealed that officials from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico have been pressing for the publication of detailed vote data to resolve the dispute. A joint statement from these countries emphasized the need for an “impartial verification of the results” to uphold the principle of popular sovereignty.
The controversy has sparked widespread unrest within Venezuela. Following the election result announcement, thousands of opposition supporters protested in the streets, resulting in government crackdowns. Reports indicate that hundreds were arrested, with the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal documenting 11 fatalities. The day after the protests, several individuals, including former opposition candidate Freddy Superlano, were also detained.
María Corina Machado, who was barred from running for president, and González addressed their supporters in Caracas but have since remained out of the public eye. Machado has voiced concerns about her safety and accused the international community of tolerating what she describes as a “demonstrably illegitimate government.”
In response to the controversy, President Maduro has requested Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice to audit the election results. However, critics argue that the court’s close ties to the government undermine its potential for an unbiased review. The tribunal has accepted Maduro’s request and scheduled a hearing where candidates, including González, will present their cases.
Amid this turmoil, the Brazilian and Colombian governments have urged Maduro to disclose detailed voting counts. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of transparency and non-violence.
Venezuela, once a leading economy in Latin America with the world’s largest proven crude reserves, has been grappling with severe economic decline, exacerbated by plummeting oil prices and hyperinflation since Maduro’s presidency began in 2013. This economic downturn has led to widespread social unrest and mass emigration.
For further insights and ongoing updates on this situation, please visit The Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal.
Meta Description: The U.S. has recognized Edmundo González as the legitimate winner of Venezuela’s presidential election, challenging the official results that declared Nicolás Maduro victorious. This decision comes amidst international calls for transparency and independent verification of the election results.
