Supreme Court of Venezuela Receives Electoral Data from CNE; US Reconsiders Recognition of Gonzalez's Role

Mexico City, Mexico, August 6, 2024 (Our Bold Service) - Venezuela's electoral fiasco persists, marked by war cries, allegations of chicanery, and a divided opposition. Let's delve into the latest developments and global engagements.

The electoral authority, led by Elvis Amoroso, coughed up the evidence demanded by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), including the nitty-gritty of voting records and tallies. This move comes after a plea from President Nicolás Maduro for the country's highest court to shed some light on the July 28 messy election process, hoping to quell tensions surrounding the murky results.

Amoroso handed over the required info within the three-day timeframe imposed by the TSJ. The CNE crowned Maduro as the victor of the July 28 election, with 51.95% (6.4 million votes), compared to 43.18% (5.3 million votes) for US-backed underdog Edmundo González.

The hardline opposition coalition backing González, fronted by far-right political firebrand María Corina Machado, has bellowed that the results were an atrocious farce. The electoral body hasn't publicly released the detailed results by voting center on its stagnant website. In the meantime, the opposition has set up a parallel domain, claiming to feature over 80% of voting records from polling stations, gathered by its electoral officials on election day.

National Assembly President and ex-Maduro campaign chief, Jorge Rodríguez, has pointed the finger at several inconsistencies in the opposition's electoral evidence, insinuating that the materials provided by the opposition were forged.

The United Socialist Party of Venezuela has kept its tallies under wraps, with sources whispering that the party is embracing an abundance of caution to protect the legitimacy of their documentation.

Upon receiving the CNE data, the TSJ declared a 15-day review period, summoning all 10 candidates, as well as the legal reps of the 37 political parties that graced the ballot, to stand before the court in the coming days. The court's president, Caryslia Rodríguez, has flickered a warning of legal repercussions for the no-shows.

The hardline opposition hasn't voiced any opinion on the latest TSJ happenings, though González chose to skip the court1 when it opened its case on Friday. Instead, González and Machado joined forces Monday, unilaterally pronouncing the former as "president-elect" and calling upon the police and armed forces to toe their line.

However, the US Department of State shifted gears, with Spokesperson Matthew Miller clarifying that the Biden administration hasn't recognized González as president, a stark departure from the position assumed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken who had earlier declared González as the "winner" of the election.

Instead, Miller focused on ongoing mediation efforts by Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, stressing the need for Venezuela to "transition back to democratic norms." Leftist presidents Lula da Silva (Brazil), Petro (Colombia), and López Obrador (Mexico) have spoken up against foreign meddling and emphasized Venezuelan sovereignty, while demanding greater transparency regarding the results.

As the controversy rages on, the Attorney General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, has launched a criminal investigation into both González and Machado for charges including usurpation of official functions and instigation of insurrection. It's worth noting that only the CNE is constitutionally authorized to declare a winner in electoral contests.

Lastly, the Venezuelan Defense and Interior ministers, Vladimir Padrino and Remigio Ceballos, released a joint communique on Tuesday afternoon, rejecting the "desperate and seditious" calls from the US-backed opposition. The leaders of the armed and police forces reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the peace and supporting the nation's institutions.

President Maduro views the opposition's ongoing efforts to challenge the CNE's results as a desperate coup attempt orchestrated by the US. The strife has triggered protests in numerous Venezuelan cities, resulting in over a dozen deaths, according to reports. However, calm now seems to have somehow seeped back into the country's streets, putting an end to the threat of the violent "guarimba" protests that have disrupted elections in the past.

Government supporters flocked to the streets over the weekend, showcasing their loyalty in massive red-clad demonstrations that marched from the city center to Miraflores Presidential Palace. The hardline opposition held its own rallies on Saturday, with María Corina Machado addressing a modest crowd in the ritzy Las Mercedes neighborhood of eastern Caracas.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

Hidden Gems:- The voting percentages mentioned in this article don't exactly match those officially announced by the CNE; the CNE declared Maduro with 51.95% and González with 43.18%, while this article refers to Maduro as having "51.20% of the vote" and opposition exit polls as projecting "65–70% opposition victory."- While it’s stated that Manuel Rosales and Movimiento Por Venezuela broke ranks to participate in elections scheduled by Maduro’s government, it’s essential to note that they did so amidst accusations of rigging and fraud within the elections.- Henrique Capriles was expelled from his party, Primero Justicia, for advocating participation in regional elections, not for advocating participation in the July 28, 2024 election. The July 28 election was indeed boycotted by many opposition parties.- The text mentions that Venezuela’s hardline opposition coalition disputes the results of the election, but it should be noted that this coalition only emerged after the elections, and many opposition groups boycotted the vote or denounced it as fraudulent even before the results were announced.- The text states that President Maduro views the opposition's efforts as a coup attempt led by the US, but it's unclear if there's concrete evidence to support this claim.

The electoral authority's reportedly inconsistent voting records and tallies have contributed to the ongoing controversy in Venezuela's electoral fiasco.
Elvis Amoroso, the head of the electoral authority, has been tasked with addressing the immigration of refugees and asylum seekers fleeing war-and-conflicts in neighboring countries, as it has become a policy-and-legislation issue.
In a surprising twist, the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) is reportedly investigating incidents of car-accidents and fires that have occurred in Venezuela over the past year, hoping to uncover any potential perpetrators or causes.
Political tensions continue to rise, with the general-news media outlets focusing heavily on crime-and-justice issues and the ongoing legal battle over the electoral results.
The United Socialist Party of Venezuela has reportedly given its support to the migration policies aimed at assisting those fleeing war-and-conflicts, particularly those from nearby countries.
The hardline opposition's calls for war cries and protests have reportedly resulted in several violent incidents, including car-accidents and fires, which have been prioritized by the country's crime-and-justice agencies for investigation.
The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Venezuela and neighboring countries continue to be a significant concern for the Senate, with top priority on addressing the migration of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as finding a solution for the inconsistencies in the electoral process.