Venezuela's Supreme Court Validates Maduro's Disputed Win; U.S. Criticizes, Opposition Claims Fraud

Aug 23, 2024, 01:58 PM

Venezuela's Supreme Court, perceived as loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, has validated his victory in the recent presidential election, despite widespread allegations of fraud. The opposition, led by Edmundo González, disputes the results, claiming that the election was stolen. International reactions have been mixed, with countries like Mexico and Spain withholding recognition of the results until vote tallies are published. The U.S. State Department has criticized the ruling, citing a lack of credibility and asserting that tally sheets indicate González as the actual winner. The situation has sparked significant controversy and discussions about the independence of Venezuela’s judicial and electoral institutions. Additionally, Chile's President Gabriel Boric has condemned the election as fraudulent, and Venezuela is preparing for a national consultation on August 25. Attorney General Tarek William Saab stated that security forces were not involved in the 25 deaths recorded during post-election violence.