Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro Faces International Pressure Over Disputed Election Results
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is facing mounting pressure from the international community after election observers declared his recent victory “could not be considered democratic”. The National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the winner, sparking protests and allegations of electoral fraud.
Opposition candidate Edmundo González claims he won by a wide margin, citing voting tallies that show his victory. NGOs report at least 11 deaths and dozens of injuries in protest-related violence. Maduro has blamed the unrest on a “hack” of the electoral council website and accused opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of inciting violence.
The US-based Carter Center, invited to monitor the election, could not verify the results and criticized the lack of transparency in the electoral process. The opposition claims to have evidence of winning with 70% of the vote, but the CNE has yet to release detailed voting data.
The Carter Center’s statement is a blow to Maduro, who has previously praised Venezuela’s electoral system. Pressure is mounting for the CNE to release detailed results, with countries like the US, Brazil, and the EU calling for transparency.
As tensions rise, more than 1,000 people have been detained, and two security forces members have died in the protests. Maduro’s allies have called for the arrest of opposition leaders, prompting Costa Rica to offer political asylum to Machado and González.
Despite the threats, Machado remains defiant, vowing to continue the struggle alongside the people. The situation in Venezuela remains tense as the international community waits for answers on the disputed election results.