Venezuela opposition seeks US aid amid election crisis
- Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader, is urging the U.S. for more assistance in addressing the election crisis.
- The opposition claims to have evidence of Maduro's defeat, while the NEC supports his victory, raising questions about the election's legitimacy.
- Machado proposes that the U.S. recognize Edmundo Gonzalez as the election's rightful winner to help pressure Maduro's regime.
In Venezuela, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has called for increased support from the United States amid a political crisis following the controversial presidential election held on July 28. Despite claims from opposition leaders that they possess evidence of Nicolas Maduro's defeat, the president has refused to concede and continues to assert his victory, with the National Electoral Council (NEC) backing his claims. However, the NEC is viewed as an ally of Maduro, raising doubts about the legitimacy of its results. The opposition party has organized mass protests across the country, asserting that they have 70% of voters' tally sheets indicating that Democratic Unitary Platform candidate Edmundo Gonzalez should have won the election. In response to the situation, the U.S. Department of State, along with 21 other countries, issued a statement criticizing Maduro's regime and calling for the publication of original electoral records for independent verification. The European Union has also declared it will not recognize the legitimacy of Maduro's government, emphasizing that the election results cannot be verified. Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, stated that while Maduro may remain in power, his election lacks democratic legitimacy. Machado has suggested that the U.S. could further assist by recognizing Gonzalez as the rightful winner and establishing diplomatic relations accordingly. This approach could potentially increase pressure on Maduro's regime and support the opposition's efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela.