Official announcements from the US Department of State or US Treasury

Venezuelan Opposition Calls for August 17 Protests, Claims 67% Vote Against Maduro

Aug 13, 2024, 11:40 AM

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has called for worldwide protests on August 17 to contest the results of the July 28 presidential election, which declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner. The opposition claims that their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won 67% of the vote compared to Maduro's 30%. However, these figures are based on opposition-released data without external verification. The opposition accuses Maduro of relying on the military to maintain power and has dismissed the election results as fraudulent. Machado describes Maduro's actions as a 'campaign of terror.' Spain and other international entities have expressed concerns about the election's legitimacy and have called for transparency in the voting process. The US has recognized Edmundo González as the alleged winner.