Venezuela Opposition Claims More Votes Than Government Reports

The United States has officially recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as the victor of Venezuela's recent presidential election, calling for a transition process in the country. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that overwhelming evidence indicates González won the most votes in the July 28 election, contradicting the Venezuelan government's claim that President Nicolás Maduro emerged victorious. This marks a significant escalation in Washington's stance, which has faced widespread criticism from various international organizations regarding the election's transparency. The Venezuelan government, through its National Electoral Council (CNE), declared Maduro the winner, but the absence of detailed precinct-level results has raised suspicions about the electoral process. Observers from the European Union and the Organization of American States (OAS) were unable to monitor the elections, while the Carter Center, which sent a limited number of observers, concluded that the elections "cannot be considered democratic." The lack of transparency has led to protests across Venezuela since the election results were announced. In his statement, Blinken emphasized the need for peaceful discussions among political parties in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law. He also condemned threats against opposition leaders, including González and María Corina Machado, labeling them as undemocratic attempts to suppress political participation. The G7 foreign ministers echoed these sentiments, urging Maduro to publish official vote tallies and exercise restraint towards the opposition. The political turmoil in Venezuela has contributed to a significant exodus, with nearly eight million citizens leaving the country in recent years. Since 2021, over 800,000 Venezuelans have sought refuge in the United States, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the political situation.