Reports from credible news agencies and official statements from the Venezuelan government and opposition

U.S. and Allies Recognize Edmundo González as Venezuela's Legitimate President Amidst Fraud Claims, Protests Erupt

Aug 3, 2024, 03:52 PM

The U.S. government, along with several other nations including Ecuador, Uruguay, Argentina, and Panama, has recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of Venezuela's presidential election. This comes despite Venezuela's National Electoral Council ratifying President Nicolás Maduro's victory with 51.95% of the votes against González's 43.18%. The U.S. State Department and various international observers, including an AP analysis, cited overwhelming evidence of electoral fraud favoring Maduro. U.S. officials, including Brian A. Nichols and Senator Durbin, have called for a peaceful democratic transfer of power. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also expressed concern for the safety of opposition leaders. The opposition, led by María Corina Machado, has mobilized massive protests across the country, demanding a fair and transparent recount. The situation remains tense as Maduro's regime accuses the opposition of planning armed attacks, and security forces have been deployed to disperse demonstrators.