Turning Tides in Venezuela: An Ongoing Power Struggle
US Position on Venezuela's Presidential Elections Firmly Dismissed
August 2, 2024 - (Our Platform) - The Venezuelan government is locking horns with the United States over a public statement recognizing Edmundo González, an opposition candidate, as the victor of the recent presidential election.
Foreign Minister Yván Gil's statement, published on Friday morning, condemned the U.S. for attempting to usurp the role of Venezuela's electoral authorities. The document denounced this action as the head of a coup attempt against Venezuela.
Caracas also denounced the creation of a "false narrative" that aimed to instigate violence in the Caribbean nation. The statement continued, asserting that Venezuelan authorities were working diligently to maintain the country's sovereignty. It concluded by declaring that the Venezuelan people were ready to face any challenges posed by imperialism.
Thursday saw U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken release a declaration in which he acknowledged that Edmundo González Urrutia had emerged victorious from Venezuela's July 28 presidential election. Blinken praised González on a successful campaign and urged Venezuelan parties to initiate peaceful negotiations for a respectful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law.
Amid public elections held for the 2025-2030 term on July 28, the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the winner with 51.2 percent of the vote. Despite a 59 percent turnout, the CNE yet to publish detailed results by voting center. Authorities have blamed a hacking operation for the delay in vote-tallying and publishing operations.
The hardline opposition, led by María Corina Machado, refuses to acknowledge the results, asserting instead that González had won a landslide victory. This group, backed by the U.S., established a parallel website claiming to include voting records from over 80 percent of polling stations.
The unrecognized election results sparked protests in various Venezuelan cities, leading to violent clashes with security forces. There have also been reports of persecution against Chavista organizers, with an episode in Carora, Lara state, leaving three individuals severely injured when the Socialist Party (PSUV) headquarters was set on fire by an opposition mob.
The post-electoral unrest has resulted in an unconfirmed total of 17 deaths and numerous injuries. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino reported a National Guard sergeant's death and 48 injured officers.
In response, authorities have carried out over a thousand arrests, including popular figures like Freddy Superlano from Popular Will. Maduro has filed an act of amparo with the Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ), seeking a review of the electoral process to validate the results. The TSJ has accepted Maduro's motion and has summoned all 10 candidates to appear at its Caracas headquarters on Friday afternoon.
Countries such as Russia and China have recognized Maduro's new six-year presidential term, while Venezuela has withdrawn its diplomatic personnel from seven Latin American countries over perceived meddling in its affairs. The Brazilian, Colombian, and Mexican governments have issued a joint statement reiterating their support for Venezuela's sovereignty and urging any controversies to be resolved via institutional means.
Maduro wants US respect for Venezuelan sovereignty
In recent days, Maduro has delivered multiple public statements, speaking to national and foreign journalists. During a Wednesday meeting, Maduro vowed that Venezuela "would not succumb to the hands of fascism and imperialism." Maduro has particularlyfocused on the role played by the United States, advocating for dialogue only on the condition of respect for Venezuela's sovereignty.
Thursday saw Maduro publish an alleged agreement signed with US officials in Qatar in September 2023. The document outlines conditions for the presidential vote, to be agreed upon by the Venezuelan government and the opposition, in Barbados the following month. The agreement also guarantees a six-month sanctions waiver, allowing transactions in Venezuela's oil and gas sectors.
The U.S. reportedly reimposed energy sanctions in April for non-compliance with the Barbados accords. Caracas accuses Washington of failing to uphold its Qatar pledges, as stated in the supposed "second phase" of the agreement, which promised another six-month license lifting economic sanctions upon the publication of the electoral calendar.
- Amidst the ongoing power struggle in Venezuela, the Venezuelan government, specifically Foreign Minister Yván Gil, has pledged to resist any interference in its politics and legislation, particularly from the United States.
- In general news, Venezuelan authorities have agreed to hold negotiations with the U.S., promising a peaceful transition, but only if Washington respects Venezuela's sovereignty in the upcoming policy-and-legislation.
- In the war-and-conflicts section of the news, the Venezuelan opposition, led by María Corina Machado, has been making statements against the government, refusing to acknowledge the official election results and accusing Venezuela of perpetrating crime-and-justice against Chavista organizers.
- The Venezuelan Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino, has issued statements regarding the post-electoral unrest, announcing the arrest of over a thousand individuals and the death of a National Guard sergeant, as well as numerous injuries among the security forces.
- In the international arena, countries such as Russia and China have agreed to recognize Maduro's six-year presidential term, while Venezuela has made statements about withdrawing its diplomatic personnel from seven Latin American countries due to perceived meddling in its affairs.
