United States secretary of state Antony Blinken declared on Thursday that there is “overwhelming evidence” indicating opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won Venezuela’s contested presidential election. This statement comes amid escalating international scrutiny and protests over the disputed results.
“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” Blinken said in a statement, according to AP.
The official announcement had declared President Nicolas Maduro as the victor, contradicting pre-election polls and sparking deadly protests and widespread global criticism. On Thursday, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico joined the United States and the European Union in demanding that Caracas release detailed voting data regarding the Venezuela elections.
“The announcement of results by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) was deeply flawed, yielding an announced outcome that does not represent the will of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken said.
“The CNE’s failure to provide the precinct-level official results, as well as irregularities throughout the process, have stripped the CNE’s announced outcome of any credibility,” Blinken was quoted as saying.
Blinken highlighted that detailed tally sheets published by the opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado, indicated Gonzalez Urrutia won “by an insurmountable margin.”
Machado, in an opinion piece published Thursday in the Wall Street Journal, revealed that she was in hiding and “fearing for my life” after Maduro threatened to arrest her and Gonzalez Urrutia.
Maduro’s actions, Blinken said, “are an undemocratic attempt to repress political participation and retain power. The safety and security of the democratic opposition leaders and members must be protected,” he urged, also calling for the release of detained protesters.
Years of damaging US sanctions have not succeeded in dislodging Maduro, who is claiming his third six-year term and maintains loyalty from the military leadership, electoral bodies, and other state institutions.
“Now is the time for the Venezuelan parties to begin discussions on a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law and the wishes of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken concluded, as per AP.
“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” Blinken said in a statement, according to AP.
The official announcement had declared President Nicolas Maduro as the victor, contradicting pre-election polls and sparking deadly protests and widespread global criticism. On Thursday, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico joined the United States and the European Union in demanding that Caracas release detailed voting data regarding the Venezuela elections.
“The announcement of results by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) was deeply flawed, yielding an announced outcome that does not represent the will of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken said.
“The CNE’s failure to provide the precinct-level official results, as well as irregularities throughout the process, have stripped the CNE’s announced outcome of any credibility,” Blinken was quoted as saying.
Blinken highlighted that detailed tally sheets published by the opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado, indicated Gonzalez Urrutia won “by an insurmountable margin.”
Machado, in an opinion piece published Thursday in the Wall Street Journal, revealed that she was in hiding and “fearing for my life” after Maduro threatened to arrest her and Gonzalez Urrutia.
Maduro’s actions, Blinken said, “are an undemocratic attempt to repress political participation and retain power. The safety and security of the democratic opposition leaders and members must be protected,” he urged, also calling for the release of detained protesters.
Years of damaging US sanctions have not succeeded in dislodging Maduro, who is claiming his third six-year term and maintains loyalty from the military leadership, electoral bodies, and other state institutions.
“Now is the time for the Venezuelan parties to begin discussions on a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law and the wishes of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken concluded, as per AP.