- US recognizes opposition as electoral winners in Venezuela
The USA have recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the disputed presidential election in Venezuela, increasing pressure on the authoritarian incumbent Nicolás Maduro. "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," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It is now time for the parties in the South American country to engage in talks about a "peaceful transition."
After the election on Sunday, the government-loyal electoral authority declared the socialist Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner. However, it has not yet published the detailed results of the individual voting districts. The opposition accuses the government of election fraud and claims victory for González. As evidence, it has published data that it says comes from more than 80 percent of the voting districts, according to which González received 67 percent of the votes and Maduro only 30 percent.
G7 foreign ministers and several Latin American countries called on the electoral authority to publish the detailed results. The independent US organization Carter Center, which sent election observers to Venezuela, described the election as undemocratic. Maduro requested an investigation of the election by the Supreme Court, which is considered government-loyal.
According to Maduro, 1200 "criminals" have been arrested so far following demonstrations, and another 1000 are being sought. He said that González and opposition leader María Corina Machado should be imprisoned. According to independent organizations, at least eleven people have died.
Maduro's re-election in 2018 was not recognized by many countries. The then parliamentary president Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president. The USA, Germany, and other countries recognized him, but he could not gain a foothold in the country - especially because the military stood behind Maduro.
On Sunday, the disputed presidential election in Venezuela took place, with Edmundo González Urrutia and Nicolás Maduro as the main contenders. Following the election, the USA urged for the publication of the detailed results, citing concerns about election fraud.
