Caracas, July 29, 2024 (our website)
Maduro Emerges Victorious in Venezuela's Presidential Vote
In a divisive turn of events, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has snatched a controversial third term in office after triumphing in the July 28 contentious presidential vote.
The initial bulletin published by the country's National Electoral Council (CNE) claimed an "irreversible trend" favoring Maduro, with 51.2 percent of the vote contrasted with 44.2 percent for his main rival, opposition candidate Edmundo González.
The presidential contest boasted a turnout of 59 percent. The first bulletin was delivered with 80 percent of voting centers tallied.
"We call on everyone to honor the Constitution and the laws, and to respect the will of the people," stated CNE President Elvis Amoroso in a press conference on Sunday at midnight. He alleged that results were delayed due to an "assault on the transmission system" and implored authorities to probe the matter.
A second bulletin and detailed results broken down by voting center are expected in the following hours.
Maduro reveled in jubilant crowds outside Miraflores Presidential Palace, proclaiming the election as "a triumph for national independence."
"Fascism shall never rear its head in the land of Bolívar and Chávez," he told supporters. "This is a victory for peace, for stability, and for our Republic." He implored the United States and other international actors to recognize the outcome and refrain from meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs.
The president dedicated the victory to former President Hugo Chávez, who would have celebrated his 70th birthday on Sunday. "The Venezuelan people have never wavered in their allegiance!" Maduro declared.
Far-right politician María Corina Machado, leading the opposition campaign efforts, told reporters that González was Venezuela's new president-elect and that he had won in all states. "We scored a landslide victory, and everyone knows it," she asserted.
Machado urged followers to "defend the truth" and stated that the armed forces should "ensure the results are upheld."
Detractors swiftly disputed Maduro's victory, with claims of electoral fraud and post-election repression. Western governments and regional allies, including the U.S., Canada, EU, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil, refused to recognize the results[5][3]. Venezuela retaliated by severing diplomatic ties with over 10 countries[5].
The UN Electoral Technical Team and the Carter Center denounced the process as lacking transparency, with the Carter Center declaring the official results—51% for Maduro—“inconceivable” in comparison to opposition tallies showing 67–70% for Edmundo González[2][5][3]. The CNE never released original tally sheets or conducted legally mandated audits[1][3].
Post-election, security forces and pro-government groups killed at least 24 protesters, detained over 2,000, and committed enforced disappearances following largely peaceful protests[1][3]. Human Rights Watch documented killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions, urging foreign governments to hold Maduro accountable[3][1].
Maduro's victory spurred international condemnation, with even left-leaning regional allies distancing themselves from his government, symbolizing broader isolation. The lack of international recognition has exacerbated Venezuela's crises, including economic sanctions and diplomatic restrictions[5][3].
- Despite the divisive third term victory of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the contentious presidential vote, claims of electoral fraud and post-election repression have sparked international condemnation and refusals to recognize the results by Western governments and regional allies.
- The UN Electoral Technical Team and the Carter Center denounced the Venezuelan presidential election process as lacking transparency, with the official results—51% for Maduro—being "inconceivable" compared to opposition tallies showing 67–70% for Edmundo González.
- The turnout in the controversial Venezuelan presidential election, held on July 28, 2024, boasted a 59% turnout, with the first bulletin being delivered with 80% of voting centers tallied.
- The political landscape in Venezuela remains volatile, as far-right politician María Corina Machado, leading the opposition campaign efforts, insisted that Edmundo González was the rightful president-elect and had won in all states.
- In the aftermath of the contentious presidential vote, security forces and pro-government groups were accused of killing at least 24 protesters, detaining over 2,000, and committing enforced disappearances following largely peaceful protests. These incidents have been documented by Human Rights Watch, urging foreign governments to hold Maduro accountable for the human rights abuses.
