July 29, 2024 – Caracas
In a highly contentious election, Venezuela finds itself in the throes of political chaos as both President Nicolás Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González claim victory. On Sunday, electoral authorities announced that Maduro secured 51% of the vote, compared to González’s 44%, with 80% of the votes counted. This declaration, made by National Electoral Council president and Maduro ally Elvis Amoroso, came after hours of uncertainty and delay.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado, barred from running herself, asserted that González, a retired diplomat who stepped in as the opposition candidate, actually won by a significant margin. Machado cited several exit polls and quick counts, along with voting machine receipts, showing González leading with 70% of the vote. An exit poll by U.S. firm Edison Research indicated González ahead with 65% to Maduro’s 31%.
The announcement followed a prolonged period of silence from the electoral council, leading many to suspect that Maduro’s inner circle was debating how to manage the results. The delay has fueled accusations of fraud, particularly given the regime’s history of manipulating elections and suppressing opposition.
Maduro, addressing his supporters from the Miraflores presidential palace, maintained his stance of legitimacy. “I have a clean conscience,” he declared. “In this new term, I pledge to transform Venezuela towards economic growth, peace, and social happiness.”
The international reaction was swift and critical. The Biden administration, alongside other foreign governments, expressed doubts about the election’s integrity. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for transparency and fairness in the vote-counting process. Chilean President Gabriel Boric and leaders from Brazil, Colombia, and other Latin American nations echoed these concerns, refusing to recognize results that could not be verified.
The election has highlighted Venezuela’s deep political and economic crisis. Maduro, who has been in power since 2013 following the death of his mentor Hugo Chávez, is widely blamed for the country’s severe economic downturn. This has led to the exodus of nearly eight million Venezuelans, seeking refuge from economic hardship and political repression. Furthermore, Maduro faces indictments from the U.S. for drug trafficking and terrorism and is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
Public frustration with Maduro was evident on election day. Many Venezuelans lined up hours before polls opened, eager to cast their votes against the incumbent president. In Caracas, Elidio Santana, a street vendor, expressed the collective hope for change. “We’ve been waiting for 25 years,” he said. “We are fed up. This country needs a change.”
Despite these hopes, logistical barriers prevented many expatriates from voting, with only 69,000 of the estimated 5.5 million eligible voters abroad managing to register. Carolina Martínez, a nurse living in Colombia who returned to vote, believed a González victory could inspire many to repatriate and rebuild Venezuela.
As both sides prepare for possible unrest, González’s supporters are urged to remain peaceful. “Our fight will continue,” González stated. “We won’t stop until the will of the people is respected.”
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