Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez are both claiming victory in the recent presidential election held on July 28. The National Electoral Council (C.N.E.) announced that Maduro secured 51% of the vote and won a third term, despite exit polls indicating an opposition victory. The election was marred by allegations of irregularities and incidents of violence.
Maduro celebrated his win at the presidential palace, declaring it a triumph of peace and stability. He emphasized the transparency of Venezuela’s electoral system and announced plans for a “great national dialogue.” Meanwhile, opposition candidate Gonzalez, backed by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, claimed he had won 70% of the vote, supported by independent exit polls. As C.N.B.C. reported, “Our message of reconciliation and peaceful change still stands…our struggle continues and we won’t rest until the will of the people of Venezuela is respected,” Gonzalez said to his supporters.
The situation escalated as reports emerged of isolated violence and confrontations between pro-government motorcycle groups, known as “collectives,” and opposition supporters. The electoral authority cited an “aggression” against the electoral data transmission system as the reason for delayed results and called for an investigation into these “terrorist actions.” The government labelled the protests as an attempted “coup,” and the death toll since the election rose to at least 11, according to the rights group Foro Penal.
The conflicting claims and allegations of irregularities raise serious doubts about the integrity of the election. Maduro’s declaration of victory amidst claims of fraud and violence highlights the need for a genuine and transparent electoral process. The international community’s call for clarity and accountability is crucial in ensuring the legitimacy of Venezuela’s democratic processes. The U.S.-based Carter Center declared that the election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and could not be considered democratic, according to Reuters. Additionally, Maduro and his top legislative ally accused opposition leaders of inciting violence, while international reactions included calls for Venezuela to release the full vote tally and potential fresh sanctions from the U.S.
Caracas and Washington have long had an adversarial relationship dating back to the era of left-wing populist Hugo Chavez. Maduro, a 61-year-old former bus driver and foreign minister, first took office on Chavez’s death in 2013. His 2018 re-election is considered fraudulent by the United States and others, who call him a dictator. Under Maduro’s leadership, Venezuela has faced severe economic collapse, significant migration, and deteriorating diplomatic relations, worsened by sanctions from the United States and the European Union. The country’s socio-economic conditions have declined drastically, with a 96% poverty rate in 2020, compounded by poor government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more detailed information, visit our Crisis Index page.
Although Maduro said if returned to power he would guarantee peace and economic growth, making Venezuela less dependent on oil income, the violent aftermath of alleged unfair elections suggests otherwise. Maduro’s potential win could lead to more migration from Venezuela, a country already experiencing significant emigration due to economic collapse and political instability. The opposition’s options appeared limited, given the military’s continued support for Maduro. Protests continued in several cities, with reports of security forces attacking demonstrators and opposition figures being arrested. Many Venezuelans expressed despair, with some considering leaving the country due to the political and economic repression, as Reuters reported.
As the situation remains fluid, with ongoing tensions and international scrutiny, the international community’s response and the actions of Venezuelan authorities will be critical in shaping the country’s future. A transparent and inclusive dialogue is essential for addressing the underlying issues and achieving lasting peace and stability.
