The political crisis in Venezuela has deepened following the disputed July 28 presidential elections, with both incumbent President Nicolás Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia claiming victory. The National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner with 52% of the vote, but opposition leaders, including María Corina Machado, claim that González won 70% of the vote based on their verified actas (electoral records).International pressure is mounting for transparency in the election results. The European Union and 22 countries have demanded the immediate publication of the original voting records and an impartial, independent verification of the results. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have proposed holding new elections or forming a coalition government to resolve the crisis. However, both Maduro and the opposition have rejected these proposals.In a significant development, Argentina’s government, led by President Javier Milei, has officially recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as the elected president of Venezuela. Argentine presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni stated, ‘We already know who the winner of the elections was and we have a clear position on this matter. There is no reason to hold new consultations in Venezuela’.The disputed election has led to widespread protests and violence in Venezuela. Opposition sources report at least 24 deaths, thousands of arrests, and numerous injuries during demonstrations against the election results. González Urrutia has called on Maduro to ‘not delay the peaceful transition,’ warning that without a political solution, Venezuela’s economy will continue to suffer.As the crisis unfolds, concerns about human rights and regional stability continue to grow. The situation has implications not only for Venezuela’s internal politics but also for international relations in South America, with countries divided on how to address the ongoing dispute.
Key points
- The July 28 Venezuelan presidential election results are heavily disputed, with both Maduro and opposition claiming victory.
- Argentina has officially recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the elected president of Venezuela.
- The EU and 22 countries are demanding transparent verification of the election results.
- Proposals for new elections by Brazil and Colombia have been rejected by both Maduro and the opposition.
Contradictions👾While the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner with 52% of the vote, the opposition claims González won 70% based on their verified actas.
This significant discrepancy highlights the core of the electoral dispute.
