ReutersThe US Secretary of State says there is “overwhelming evidence” that Venezuela’s opposition won the recent presidential election.
Antony Blinken said in a statement that it was clear that Edmundo Gonzalez won the most votes – despite a controversial victory claimed by current President Nicolas Maduro.
“Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” Blinken said. .
His intervention came as the presidents of Brazil, Mexico and Colombia all called on Venezuela to release full details of last Sunday’s election.
On Sunday, the government-controlled electoral commission declared President Maduro the winner of the election to begin his third term.
But that claim was immediately disputed by the opposition, who said it was false given the majority of receipts from electronic voting machines across the country.
The opposition said their own vote counts showed they won the election by a wide margin. Pre-election polls showed a clear victory for the challenger.
President Maduro has previously accused foreign governments of interfering in the election.
He has strongly denied electoral fraud and said opposition groups questioning the results were fomenting a coup.
The announcement of President Maduro’s victory sparked deadly protests in Caracas.
This also triggered global criticism, with many governments around the world demanding that the Venezuelan government release evidence of the results.
U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyThe results were recognized by Venezuela’s allies China, Russia and Iran.
But the United States, the European Union and other G7 countries have called on President Maduro’s government to release detailed voting data.
Blinken posted on social media: “The election data overwhelmingly reflects the will of the Venezuelan people: Democratic opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won the most votes in Sunday’s election.
“Venezuelans have voted and their votes must count.”
Mr. Blinken’s intervention is significant. back The last election in 2018 was widely viewed as neither free nor fairAfterwards, the United States and other countries decided to recognize the then opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president and imposed sanctions on Venezuela.
Blinken said it was “time for all parties in Venezuela to begin discussing a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuela’s electoral laws and the wishes of the Venezuelan people.”
