Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has stated his party is prepared to release all vote tallies from the country’s controversial election, following election observers’ assertions that the election did not meet democratic standards.
The declaration from the National Electoral Council (CNE) confirming Maduro’s victory has ignited two days of protests, as opposition leaders claim their candidate, Edmundo González, won by a significant margin.
Non-governmental organizations report at least 11 fatalities linked to protest-related violence, with numerous injuries also documented.
During a press conference, Maduro reiterated that the delay in publishing electoral results was due to a “hack” on the electoral council’s website. He further accused opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of inciting violence, claiming that protesters were undermining constitutional order and urged the Supreme Court to take action, which may lead to increased arrests of opposition figures or demonstrators.
The U.S.-based Carter Center, invited to observe the presidential poll, has stated it could not “verify or corroborate” the CNE’s reported election results. The Center criticized the CNE for failing to disclose detailed results by polling station, describing this as a serious violation of electoral principles and expressing concerns about the CNE’s evident bias in favor of incumbent president Nicolás Maduro.
The opposition contends that they have compiled sufficient evidence from electronic voting machine receipts to substantiate their claim of a 70% victory in the election.
The Carter Center’s statement adds pressure on the CNE, aligning with the demands of multiple countries and organizations advocating for the release of detailed vote data, including the United States, Brazil, and the European Union. The U.S. State Department has expressed increasing frustration over the Venezuelan electoral authorities’ reluctance to disclose comprehensive election data.
The Carter Center’s findings are particularly damaging to the Maduro government, as its previous reports had commended the Venezuelan electoral system. Maduro has repeatedly referenced remarks from the organization’s founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who previously lauded Venezuelan elections as exemplary.
In total, over 1,000 individuals have reportedly been detained in the unrest, confirmed by Venezuela’s attorney general, who also noted the deaths of two members of the security forces during protests. Machado has called on her supporters to maintain peace even amid provocations from the government.
Jorge Rodríguez, a close ally of Maduro and the National Assembly’s leader, has called for the arrest of Machado and González, alleging they are at the helm of a “fascist conspiracy.” Meanwhile, the Costa Rican foreign minister has extended an offer of political asylum to Machado and González, citing awareness of potential arrest warrants against them. Machado acknowledged the offer but emphasized her commitment to continue advocating for the people’s rights.
