The recent preliminary report released by a panel of experts from the United Nations (UN) has called into question the legitimacy of the electoral process in Venezuela and the outcome that declared Nicolás Maduro as the winner. The document, initially intended to be confidential, has sparked a political upheaval by exposing unprecedented irregularities in an election that, according to the panel, lacks the basic standards of transparency and credibility.
The UN panel's report states that "announcing the result of an election without publishing its details or sharing tabulated results with the candidates is unprecedented in contemporary democratic elections." This strong statement represents a monumental diplomatic blow to Chavismo in front of the international community and, according to El Mundo, highlights the lack of transparency in the management of results by the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela.
The election, which ended with the proclamation of Maduro as president-elect, has been engulfed in scandal because, according to known electoral records, opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia allegedly received four million more votes than Maduro. This data was verified and certified by the Center for Democracy and Electoral Management (Carter Center), which, like the UN, was present during the electoral process as one of the few independent international observers.
A Devastating Report
The UN electoral observation mission was invited to Venezuela by the CNE itself, as part of the Barbados Agreements, a pact between the government and the opposition supported by the international community. However, the UN noted that despite their presence, the process was marred by a series of irregularities and a lack of transparency that undermine the legitimacy of the outcome.
The report highlights that "the CNE has not published, and still has not published, any results, or results broken down by polling station, to support its oral announcements, as contemplated in the electoral legal framework." Additionally, the UN experts criticized the cancellation of three key post-electoral audits that could have clarified whether there was any external interference or hacking in the data transmission system.
Response from Nicolás Maduro's Regime
In response to these accusations, Maduro's regime reacted vigorously, accusing the UN panel of spreading lies and violating the terms of reference agreed with the CNE. In an official statement, the Venezuelan government expressed that the preliminary conclusions of the report are "a propaganda act serving the coup interests of the Venezuelan far-right." According to EFE, regime authorities claimed that the panel had direct contacts with officials from the U.S. Department of State, which would call into question the impartiality of the report.
The statement also asserts that the panel of experts had access to all phases of the electoral process and defends that Maduro's election as president is legitimate and reflects the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people.
Impact on the International Community
The UN's preliminary report has triggered a chain reaction within the international community, where future relations with Maduro's government are now being questioned. The document's publication marks a turning point in the international perception of the Venezuelan regime, which now faces increased pressure to justify the legitimacy of its mandate.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan opposition found support for its fraud allegations and urged the international community to not recognize the election results. The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with a polarized country and an increasingly critical international community towards Maduro's government.
Final Conclusions of the Report
The final conclusions of the UN panel of experts are yet to be published, and are expected to provide an even more detailed assessment of the irregularities that occurred during the electoral process. However, it is already evident that this preliminary report has significantly undermined the credibility of the Venezuelan electoral process and placed Maduro's government in a difficult position before the international community.
Venezuela's political future is more uncertain than ever, and both internal and external pressure on the Venezuelan government continues to mount. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the country can find a way out of this electoral crisis or if it will plunge deeper into a political conflict that threatens to drag on indefinitely.
UN Demands End to Repression and Thorough Investigations Post-Elections
Following the controversial presidential elections on July 28 in Venezuela, the country has been engulfed in a wave of repression by the Chavista regime, which has raised international concern. The UN Human Rights Council's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela called on the Venezuelan government to immediately stop this repression and thoroughly investigate the human rights violations occurring.
Since the elections, at least 23 deaths, most of them by gunfire, have been recorded in the context of protests that have rocked the country. The Mission stated that these deaths must be investigated and that, if confirmed, the abusive use of force by security forces should lead to accountability for those responsible.
Additionally, the Mission documented the detention of at least 1,260 people, including 160 women, although the Venezuelan Attorney General raises the figure to 2,200 detainees, many of whom have been indiscriminately labeled as "terrorists." Among the detainees are political leaders, journalists, and human rights defenders, as well as an alarming number of over 100 minors, who have been charged with the same serious crimes as adults.
The detentions have been marked by due process violations, including summary telematic hearings and the imposition of serious charges without sufficient evidence. The Mission demanded the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals and stressed the need to respect international standards on due process and detention conditions, especially in the case of minors. The Mission will continue to investigate and document human rights violations in Venezuela, while urging the government to cease repression and ensure justice for the victims.
Key Questions About the UN Report on Venezuela's Elections
In light of the recent UN report on Venezuela's electoral fraud and subsequent repression, several key questions have emerged. Below, we address some of the most pressing issues related to this topic.
What irregularities did the UN report find in Venezuela's election?
The UN report highlighted unprecedented irregularities, including the lack of published election details or tabulated results, and the cancellation of key post-electoral audits that could have clarified potential external interference.
How has Maduro's regime responded to the UN's accusations?
Maduro's regime has vehemently denied the accusations, labeling the UN report as propaganda serving the interests of the Venezuelan far-right and questioning the impartiality of the panel due to alleged contacts with U.S. officials.
What has been the international reaction to the UN's preliminary report?
The international community has responded with increased scrutiny and questioning of future relations with Maduro's government, while the Venezuelan opposition has found support for its fraud claims.
What are the human rights concerns following the Venezuelan elections?
Human rights concerns include the deaths of at least 23 people during protests, the arbitrary detention of over 1,200 individuals, including minors, and violations of due process and detention conditions.