Regional leaders intensify pressure on Venezuela after US recognises González as president-elect
The United States recognition of opposition candidate Edmundo González as Venezuela’s president-elect has intensified the political crisis in the country, raising critical questions about electoral transparency and international influence in Venezuelan affairs.
The stakes are now higher than ever for Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) to substantiate its decision to declare President Nicolás Maduro the victor of the recent presidential election.
The U.S. announcement came in response to widespread calls for transparency, including from some of Maduro’s regional allies, who have urged the CNE to release comprehensive vote counts.
The electoral authority’s announcement on Monday, which declared Maduro the winner, has been met with skepticism. The main opposition coalition has presented evidence suggesting a different outcome, including over two-thirds of the tally sheets from electronic voting machines indicating González’s victory. This has led to a growing chorus of demands for clarity and verification.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, more importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election.” Blinken’s remarks underscore the U.S. commitment to supporting democratic processes in the region, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Maduro has dismissed the U.S. stance, asserting that the United States should not interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs. However, the pressure is mounting from regional powers. Brazilian, Colombian, and Mexican officials have been vocal in urging Maduro’s administration to release the vote tally sheets and permit independent verification. These calls for transparency reflect a growing regional consensus on the need for credible electoral processes.
A Brazilian government official, speaking anonymously, highlighted the necessity of transparency to resolve doubts about the election results. Similarly, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador indicated ongoing discussions with other regional leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, to address the situation.
The joint statement issued by the governments of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico on Thursday reiterates the demand for Venezuela’s electoral authorities to release detailed voting data. This collective regional pressure aims to foster transparency and accountability, essential for maintaining stability in the region.
The CNE, closely aligned with Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela, has yet to provide detailed results by voting machine. It reported that Maduro secured 5.1 million votes compared to González’s 4.4 million. However, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was barred from running, claims that González received approximately 6.2 million votes, while Maduro garnered only 2.7 million.
Venezuela’s political turmoil is compounded by its severe economic decline under Maduro’s leadership, marked by plummeting oil prices, shortages, and hyperinflation. These economic challenges have driven over 7.7 million Venezuelans to emigrate since 2014, representing the largest exodus in recent Latin American history.
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