US and 10 Latin American Countries Deny Maduro's Election Results
- US and 10 Latin American countries refuse to validate Maduro's election results.
- Chile's leftwing president voices certainty that the election was stolen.
- Denial of Maduro's vote certification sparks international tension.
In a significant diplomatic rebuke, ten Latin American nations and the United States have expressed their strong disapproval of the Venezuelan Supreme Court's endorsement of Nicolás Maduro's controversial re-election. Chilean President Gabriel Boric stated unequivocally, “I have no doubt this election has been stolen,” reflecting widespread skepticism regarding the legitimacy of the electoral process. The joint statement, released on Friday, called for an “impartial and independent audit” of the vote and highlighted serious concerns over human rights abuses during Maduro's post-election crackdown, which has reportedly led to over 1,600 detentions and at least 24 fatalities. The condemnation transcends political lines, with both conservative and progressive governments uniting against Maduro's regime. Boric and Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo, both from the left, have openly criticized the Venezuelan government, labeling it a dictatorship that manipulates elections. The U.S. State Department echoed these sentiments, asserting that the ruling lacks credibility and emphasizing that attempts to falsely claim victory for Maduro will worsen the ongoing crisis. The European Union has also weighed in, with foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stating that the bloc's 27 member states will not recognize Maduro's re-election without verifiable results. Meanwhile, Brazil and Colombia, led by leftist leaders with historical ties to Maduro's political lineage, have withheld recognition pending detailed voting tallies. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has similarly called for transparency before acknowledging the election results. In response to the international backlash, Maduro's administration has dismissed the criticism, with Foreign Minister Yván Gil deriding Boric as a “laughingstock” and a “submissive pawn of North American imperialism.” Despite the mounting pressure, Maduro, backed by the military and allies like Russia and China, is set to begin his third term on January 10.