Joseph Isangura
The United States has formally recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela, rejecting the re-election of Nicolás Maduro in what it described as a deeply flawed electoral process.
This acknowledgment follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement on the matter, emphasizing that González was the rightful winner of the July 28 election.
Blinken highlighted the courage of Venezuelans who participated in the election despite political repression. He criticized the official results announced by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), which declared Maduro the victor with 51.2% of the vote, calling them undemocratic and lacking transparency.
The move aligns with findings from independent observers such as The Carter Center and Human Rights Watch, which noted significant irregularities and constraints on political freedoms during the election. These groups reported that the conditions surrounding the election failed to meet international standards of fairness and transparency.
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González, currently in exile in Spain, expressed gratitude for the international support and vowed to continue advocating for democratic reforms in Venezuela. Meanwhile, Maduro’s administration has condemned the U.S. stance, viewing it as interference in the country’s sovereignty.
The U.S. decision adds to mounting international pressure on the Maduro government. European Union officials have also raised concerns about the election’s legitimacy, urging Venezuelan authorities to ensure transparency and allow independent verification of the results.
