In a highly contentious and disputed election, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) declared incumbent President Nicolás Maduro the winner with 51.2% of the vote. His main opponent, Edmundo González, reportedly garnered 44.2%. However, these results have been fiercely contested by the opposition and have sparked widespread outrage and skepticism both domestically and internationally.
Reports of irregularities
The opposition has rejected the official results outright. María Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure, declared, “We won and the whole world knows it,” alleging that their records showed González winning with 70% of the vote against Maduro’s 30%.
González himself also claimed that rules were violated during the election process. “The entire international community knows what happened in Venezuela and how people voted for change,” Machado stated. She emphasized that the opposition would “defend the truth” and continue their struggle against what they see as a fraudulent election.
Numerous reports of irregularities and voter intimidation have emerged. According to OSINTdefender, “Thing could be on the verge of boiling over in Venezuela; with Presidential Election Results so far showing that Opposition Candidate, Edmundo González has won by a landslide against Nicolás Maduro… despite a ‘Sea of Reports’ about Election Intimidation by Members of the Maduro Party against Voters.”
There were also accounts of Venezuelans abroad allegedly being refused entry into the country, thus being unable to vote.
Al Cardenas noted, “Maduro is losing big-but here comes the violence and the intimidation. The next few hours are critical if the true election results were scrutinized, opposition wins but Maduro’s military may violate the clear will of the people and need to be subdued-but international help may well be needed.”
Additionally, Visegrád 24 reported, “Young Venezuelan man killed as Maduro’s police and armed communist gangs launch an attack on voters in Táchira.”
At the Andrés Bello school polling station in Caracas, men in unmarked black jackets temporarily blocked access, resulting in a physical altercation where a woman was punched. In Maturín, a woman was reportedly hit by a bullet during a drive-by shooting by men on motorcycles near a voting line.
Election day was marked by widespread reports of irregularities and voter suppression. Many polling stations opened late, and there were numerous instances of malfunctioning voting machines. In Maracaibo, voters found their polling places had been moved without prior notice.
Sonia Gómez, 65, recounted how she had checked the CNE website for her polling station only to find it had been changed upon her arrival on election day. “They moved us older people because they know we don’t have that much energy,” she said, “but I’m going to look for someone to take me to vote.”
The atmosphere in Caracas reflected the nation’s deep divisions. Maduro supporters celebrated outside the presidential palace, while opposition supporters were seen crying and hugging on the streets. In Petare, a large favela in Caracas, crowds celebrated what they believed to be an opposition victory, highlighting the community’s shifting political landscape.
International reactions
The international community has expressed significant concerns regarding the election’s integrity. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced “serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.” He called for a transparent and fair vote count and urged the CNE to release detailed vote tabulations.
Ricardo Hausmann, professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School and a Venezuelan, posted on X, “On the Venezuelan elections: two obvious facts. First, the opposition won by a landslide of over 30% points difference. Second, the government has decided to steal the result.”
Several Latin American leaders, including the presidents of Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Costa Rica, have either denounced or cast doubt on the results, with some stating they would not recognize Maduro’s victory. Meanwhile, Maduro’s allies, including the presidents of Bolivia, Honduras, and Cuba, have congratulated him on his win.
A delegation from the Spanish political party Partido Popular was reportedly denied entry into Venezuela and faced deportation. Additionally, five former presidents from Costa Rica, Bolivia, Mexico, Panama, and the former vice president of Colombia, who had planned to serve as election observers, were allegedly stranded in Panama, awaiting permission to travel to Caracas.
The United States and other nations have imposed severe sanctions on Maduro’s regime, hoping to pressure the government into democratic reforms. These sanctions have further crippled Venezuela’s economy, which Maduro blames for the country’s financial woes. Critics argue that Maduro’s mismanagement and corruption are the primary causes of the economic collapse.
This election marks a critical juncture for Venezuela, a nation that has suffered severe economic hardship and political instability under Maduro’s rule. Since taking office in 2013 following Hugo Chávez’s death, Maduro has overseen an unprecedented economic collapse, resulting in one of the largest migrant crises in the world. The opposition, galvanized by widespread dissatisfaction, had hoped to restore democracy and rebuild the economy.
Maduro’s administration has long been accused of manipulating electoral outcomes to maintain power. The government’s control over public institutions, including the Supreme Court and the CNE, has raised serious concerns about the fairness of the election process. Allegations of vote-rigging and suppression of opposition activities are not new in Venezuela but were particularly prominent in this election cycle.
If Maduro’s victory is upheld, it will extend the rule of Chavismo, the socialist-inspired movement founded by Hugo Chávez, into its third decade. Chávez’s promise to lift millions out of poverty initially found success but has since given way to economic ruin and widespread suffering.
For many Venezuelans, the hope for a better future lies in political change. The opposition, led by figures like María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, has vowed to continue their fight for democracy and justice.
Information for this briefing was found via CNN, The New York Times, and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
