The United States government has issued a statement expressing concerns over the recent electoral results in Venezuela, which declared Nicolás Maduro as the president for a third term (2025-2031). The statement, published on the official White House website and social media channels, details the monitoring of the July 28 election day and the subsequent results announcement by the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela.
"We continue to urge Venezuela's electoral authorities to release the full, transparent, and detailed results of the vote, including by polling station," the statement reads. It also stresses the importance of a transparent process, free from the irregularities that have been observed and reported.
"This is especially critical given the clear signs that the electoral results announced by the CNE do not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the polls on July 28. We are also reviewing additional electoral data shared by civil society organizations and reports from international election observers," the statement continues.
"The United States stands with the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people, including supporting their right to freely express their opinions without fear of reprisal," the statement concludes.
Despite the fact that many sectors celebrated the peaceful electoral process in Venezuela, numerous irregularities at polling stations were reported early on. The CNE nevertheless declared Nicolás Maduro the winner with 51.2% of the votes, compared to 44.2% for opposition candidate Edmundo González. However, opposition leader María Corina Machado asserted in a press conference that they have evidence proving González was the actual victor.
The international community quickly reacted, calling for transparency in the data provided by the CNE. On Monday, a series of protests erupted across the country, with Venezuelans toppling statues of dictator Hugo Chávez as a symbol of their discontent.
Concerns Over Venezuelan Election Results
The following questions and answers aim to address the key issues surrounding the recent Venezuelan election and the United States' response.
Why is the United States questioning the Venezuelan election results?
The United States has expressed concerns over irregularities and lack of transparency in the electoral process, suggesting that the official results do not reflect the true will of the Venezuelan people.
What irregularities were reported during the Venezuelan elections?
Numerous irregularities were reported at polling stations, including issues with voter registration and the transparency of the vote-counting process.
Who are the main political figures involved in the controversy?
The key figures include Nicolás Maduro, who was declared the winner, opposition candidate Edmundo González, and opposition leader María Corina Machado, who claims González was the actual victor.
What has the international community's response been?
The international community has called for transparency and expressed concern over the reported irregularities, urging the CNE to release detailed and accurate election data.