- Maduro accuses the US of interfering in its internal affairs
Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the U.S. recognition of opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the disputed presidential election. "The United States should keep its nose out of our business, as it's the sovereign people of Venezuela who decide," said the head of state. "Are the U.S. perhaps the electoral authority? The fascist demon is the electoral authority?"
The government-loyal electoral authority declared Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of Sunday's election. However, it has not yet published the detailed results from individual voting districts. The opposition accuses the government of election fraud and claims victory for González. The U.S., the EU, the Organization of American States, and several Latin American countries also doubt the official election results.
"In light of the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and especially to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes in the presidential election on July 28 in Venezuela," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. He called on the parties in the South American country to engage in talks about a "peaceful transition."
Maduro accused the opposition of conspiring with the U.S. to overthrow him. "Edmundo González Urrutia is a murderer and a CIA agent," said the head of state before supporters at the presidential palace Miraflores.
The United States, along with other international entities, has expressed doubt about the official election results in Venezuela, which declared Maduro as the winner. Despite this, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that based on evidence, Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate, received the most votes in the election.
