The United States officially recognized Edmundo Gonzalez, the main opposition candidate in Venezuela’s contentious presidential election, as the victor, dismissing incumbent President Nicolas Maduro’s claim to victory.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “The evidence clearly indicates that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the most votes in the July 28 presidential election in Venezuela.”
The U.S. recognition, while acknowledging Gonzalez’s successful campaign, stopped short of formally naming him as Venezuela’s new leader.
The election results have ignited protests in Venezuela, where the electoral council declared Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote.
However, opposition figures argue that their count of approximately 90% of the votes shows Gonzalez with more than double Maduro’s support, consistent with pre-election independent polls.
They have made their detailed vote tallies public, while the government has only released aggregate totals.
Blinken’s statement did not include immediate threats of new sanctions but suggested the possibility of “punitive action.”
Reuters reported that the U.S. is contemplating additional sanctions in light of the disputed election.
“We strongly support the restoration of democratic norms in Venezuela and are ready to collaborate with international partners to strengthen this process,” Blinken said.
He also emphasized the need to protect opposition leaders and ensure law enforcement and security forces do not engage in political violence against citizens exercising their democratic rights.
In response to the election dispute, the presidents of Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia have called for Venezuela to release comprehensive voting data.
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