The U.S. has recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as Venezuela’s true victor, challenging the official results of the recent presidential election. The pressure is mounting on Venezuela’s electoral authority to justify its decision to declare President Nicolás Maduro the winner.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of State’s announcement came after multiple governments, including Maduro's allies, urged Venezuela’s National Electoral Council to release detailed vote counts, as has been customary in previous elections.
The electoral authority declared Maduro the winner on Monday, but the opposition coalition soon countered with evidence, presenting over two-thirds of the tally sheets from electronic voting machines that were printed after polls closed.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election.”
The U.S. announcement coincides with diplomatic efforts from Brazil and Mexico to persuade Maduro to release the vote tallies and allow for an independent review. Officials from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico have been actively engaging with Maduro’s administration, stressing that releasing the data is crucial to resolving doubts about the election’s legitimacy, according to a Brazilian official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
