Nicolás Maduro has been declared the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election, securing 51% of the vote against his main challenger, Edmundo González, who received 44%. The announcement, made by Elvis Amoroso, head of the National Electoral Council, is based on results from 80% of voting stations. However, the delay in releasing official tallies and the control of the electoral authority by Maduro loyalists have fueled skepticism and disputes from the opposition.
Maduro said that his re-election is triumph of peace and stability and reiterated his campaign trail assertion that Venezuela’s electoral system is transparent.
The results announced by the national electoral council contradict several exit polls which showed a decisive win for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
Controversial delays and disputed results
The results were announced hours after polls were supposed to close, with voting centers in some areas remaining open well past the deadline. Opposition representatives have claimed that their tallies, collected from campaign observers at 30% of polling stations, show González leading by a significant margin. This discrepancy has intensified calls for transparency and has raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.
Merling Fernández, a 31-year-old bank employee, expressed her dismay, celebrating what she believed to be González’s victory. “We are all tired of this yoke,” Fernández said, surrounded by jubilant supporters in a working-class neighborhood of Caracas.
Opposition claims victory amidst uncertainty
Despite the official announcement, opposition leaders, including González and former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, have urged caution. Machado, who was barred from running by the Maduro-controlled Supreme Tribunal of Justice, is backing González after her own exclusion from the race. The opposition had been buoyed by exit polls showing González in the lead, though such polls are illegal in Venezuela.
González, 74, remained optimistic after casting his ballot, calling on the armed forces to respect the people’s decision and promising to transform Venezuela’s political landscape. “We will change hatred for love, poverty for progress, and corruption for honesty,” he declared.
International reactions and internal challenges
US Vice President Kamala Harris voiced support for Venezuelan voters, saying that the will of the people must be respected. “The United States stands with the people of Venezuela who expressed their voice in today’s historic presidential election,” Harris wrote on X.
Maduro’s campaign, on the other hand, faced challenges in maintaining confidence. While his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, projected victory, the delay and ongoing disputes have cast a shadow over the celebration. The ruling party’s previous statements about a peaceful transition in the event of a loss were contradicted by the current campaign rhetoric.
Economic context and voter sentiments
Venezuela’s severe economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation and widespread shortages, has fueled public frustration. Many Venezuelans, earning under $200 a month, continue to struggle with high living costs. Judith Cantilla, 52, highlighted the dire need for change, citing the need for jobs, security, and better healthcare.
The election has also intensified the ongoing migration crisis, with around 7.7 million Venezuelans having already left the country in search of better opportunities abroad. A recent poll indicated that a significant portion of the population is considering emigration if Maduro secures another term.
The path forward
As Venezuela awaits further updates, the election’s outcome remains contentious. The future of the country hinges on the resolution of the current disputes and the potential impact on its political and economic trajectory. With tensions high and both sides preparing for the next steps, Venezuela faces an uncertain future as it navigates this critical juncture in its history.
Maduro said that his re-election is triumph of peace and stability and reiterated his campaign trail assertion that Venezuela’s electoral system is transparent.
The results announced by the national electoral council contradict several exit polls which showed a decisive win for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
Controversial delays and disputed results
The results were announced hours after polls were supposed to close, with voting centers in some areas remaining open well past the deadline. Opposition representatives have claimed that their tallies, collected from campaign observers at 30% of polling stations, show González leading by a significant margin. This discrepancy has intensified calls for transparency and has raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.
Merling Fernández, a 31-year-old bank employee, expressed her dismay, celebrating what she believed to be González’s victory. “We are all tired of this yoke,” Fernández said, surrounded by jubilant supporters in a working-class neighborhood of Caracas.
Opposition claims victory amidst uncertainty
Despite the official announcement, opposition leaders, including González and former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, have urged caution. Machado, who was barred from running by the Maduro-controlled Supreme Tribunal of Justice, is backing González after her own exclusion from the race. The opposition had been buoyed by exit polls showing González in the lead, though such polls are illegal in Venezuela.
González, 74, remained optimistic after casting his ballot, calling on the armed forces to respect the people’s decision and promising to transform Venezuela’s political landscape. “We will change hatred for love, poverty for progress, and corruption for honesty,” he declared.
International reactions and internal challenges
US Vice President Kamala Harris voiced support for Venezuelan voters, saying that the will of the people must be respected. “The United States stands with the people of Venezuela who expressed their voice in today’s historic presidential election,” Harris wrote on X.
Maduro’s campaign, on the other hand, faced challenges in maintaining confidence. While his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, projected victory, the delay and ongoing disputes have cast a shadow over the celebration. The ruling party’s previous statements about a peaceful transition in the event of a loss were contradicted by the current campaign rhetoric.
Economic context and voter sentiments
Venezuela’s severe economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation and widespread shortages, has fueled public frustration. Many Venezuelans, earning under $200 a month, continue to struggle with high living costs. Judith Cantilla, 52, highlighted the dire need for change, citing the need for jobs, security, and better healthcare.
The election has also intensified the ongoing migration crisis, with around 7.7 million Venezuelans having already left the country in search of better opportunities abroad. A recent poll indicated that a significant portion of the population is considering emigration if Maduro secures another term.
The path forward
As Venezuela awaits further updates, the election’s outcome remains contentious. The future of the country hinges on the resolution of the current disputes and the potential impact on its political and economic trajectory. With tensions high and both sides preparing for the next steps, Venezuela faces an uncertain future as it navigates this critical juncture in its history.