Venezuela’s ruling socialist party maintained its grip on the National Assembly in Sunday’s legislative elections, winning nearly 83% of votes, according to electoral authorities. The vote was boycotted by major opposition figures protesting the disputed July 2024 presidential election, which the opposition claims it won.
Turnout was 42.6% of the 21 million eligible voters, similar to 2021 levels. Voters elected 285 lawmakers and 24 state governors. The ruling party’s continued dominance ensures control over key institutions including the top court and attorney general’s office. Authorities did not provide a full seat breakdown but named 40 lawmakers across several parties. A pro-government coalition earned 6.25% of the vote, while an opposition alliance secured 5.17%.
Opposition candidates won just one governorship, in Cojedes, down from four in 2021. Henrique Capriles was elected to the assembly, though his ally, Zulia governor Manuel Rosales, lost his seat. Capriles and Rosales had urged participation to preserve opposition influence, while María Corina Machado and Edmundo González called for a boycott, citing political repression and rejecting the presidential results.
Throughout the day, Machado’s Vente Venezuela coalition posted images of empty polling places, despite the government extending voting hours and claiming high turnout. Rights groups reported fresh detentions of opposition figures ahead of the vote. González fled to Spain in September, while Machado remains in hiding.
The 2024 presidential vote remains contested. Authorities have yet to release full results, citing a cyberattack. The opposition published ballot-level data it says proves a González victory.
Separately, a governor was elected in the disputed Guayana Esequiba region, defying an International Court of Justice order to halt voting there. Guyana’s parliament condemned Venezuela’s actions, calling them a threat to regional stability. Caracas maintains it does not recognize the ICJ’s authority in the matter.
