On Monday, July 29, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro secured a third term in office with 51 percent of the vote, according to the country's electoral authority, despite multiple exit polls indicating an opposition victory. The electoral authority reported that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez received 44 percent of the vote.
Maduro, 61, who has been in office since 2013, will now serve another six-year term. He faces accusations of imprisoning critics and harassing the opposition in an increasingly authoritarian climate. Sunday’s election resulted from a mediated deal reached last year between the government and the opposition.
Independent Poll Predictions
A report by the news agency AFP indicated that independent polls had predicted Sunday’s vote would end 25 years of "Chavismo," the populist movement founded by Maduro’s socialist predecessor and mentor, the late Hugo Chavez.
Maduro's Statement Post-Election
Minutes after the announcement of the results, Maduro addressed his supporters, promising "peace, stability, and justice." He had previously warned of a bloodbath if he lost the election. According to AFP, rejecting the opinion polls, the government relied on its own data to assert that Maduro would defeat Gonzalez.
Opposition Rejects Maduro's Victory Claim
While Maduro's supporters celebrated, opposition voters awaited statements from Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado. Gonzalez had replaced Machado on the ticket after authorities loyal to Maduro excluded her from the race.
Later on Monday, the opposition coalition rejected the electoral authority's announcement of Maduro's victory, claiming they had garnered 70 percent of the vote, not the reported 44 percent. At a press conference, Machado declared, "We want to say to all of Venezuela and the world that Venezuela has a new president-elect and it is Edmundo Gonzalez."
International Reaction to the Election Results
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed serious concerns on Monday about the accuracy of the election results declaring Maduro the winner. "We have serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people," Blinken stated in Japan. He emphasized that every vote should be counted fairly and transparently and urged election officials to immediately share information with the opposition and independent observers and to publish the detailed tabulation of votes.
Meanwhile, Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed skepticism, stating that the election result was hard to believe.
