The U.S. has recognized Edmundo Gonzalez as “president-elect” of Venezuela months after Maduro’s disputed election victory. Blinken emphasized the need for respect towards Venezuela’s voters. Gonzalez’s claim of winning the election is supported by independent tally sheets, despite Maduro’s election council declaring him victorious amid international calls for detailed vote transparency.
In a significant political development, the United States government officially recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the “president-elect” of Venezuela, months after President Nicolas Maduro purportedly won the contentious July election. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued this acknowledgment via a post on X, demanding respect for the Venezuelan electorate’s will. Although the Biden administration affirmed that Gonzalez obtained the highest number of votes in the disputed elections, it refrained from fully endorsing him as president-elect. The National Electoral Council of Venezuela, comprised predominantly of Maduro loyalists, declared Maduro the victor shortly after the polls closed, yet failed to provide comprehensive vote counts, deviating from past electoral practices. However, the opposition coalition managed to compile vote tallies from 80% of the nation’s electronic voting systems, posting evidence online that indicates Gonzalez received double the votes of Maduro. In response to this recognition, Gonzalez expressed gratitude for acknowledging the people’s desire for change, emphasizing the civic accomplishments of the opposition during the elections. Following the election, Gonzalez fled to Spain after facing an arrest warrant related to the disclosure of vote tally records. Furthermore, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil criticized Blinken, urging him to reflect on his governmental shortcomings rather than focus on Venezuela’s electoral processes. The Maduro administration has consistently rebuffed international calls for detailed electoral transparency, while both the U.N. and the U.S.-based Carter Center flagged concerns about the credibility of the announced results. Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently retracted his support for the July elections, labeling the vote a “mistake” during an interview. Despite previous attempts among Latin American leftist leaders to mediate the electoral disputes, these efforts have proven ineffective. With the next presidential term set to commence on January 10, Maduro has already received an invitation for his swearing-in ceremony from the National Assembly, which is under his party’s control.
The recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuela’s “president-elect” by the U.S. government underscores the longstanding political tensions within the country. Following the July election, the legitimacy of the results has been highly contested, with opposition parties alleging electoral fraud facilitated by Maduro’s administration and its loyalist electoral council. Despite limited transparency and international scrutiny, the Maduro regime has attempted to solidify its control amidst mounting calls for democratic reforms and recognition of the opposition’s voice in Venezuela’s political landscape.
The situation surrounding the Venezuelan elections reflects broader issues of democracy and governance in the region. The U.S. recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez signals support for opposition movements while rejecting the current regime’s legitimacy. As Venezuela approaches the inauguration of another presidential term under Maduro, the calls for electoral transparency and the quest for political change continue to resonate among the Venezuelan populace and the international community.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
