U.S. Recognizes Opposition Candidate as Election Winner in Venezuela
The message delivered on Thursday night was unequivocal: the United States officially recognized the opposition presidential candidate, Edmundo González, as the legitimate winner of Sunday’s election in Venezuela. This assertion came in stark contrast to a declaration by the country’s electoral officials, who claimed that the autocratic President Nicolás Maduro had emerged victorious in the race.
The Biden administration emphasized that the Venezuelan government has not substantiated its assertion of victory with any credible data. In contrast, González’s team has reported tallies from the majority of voting machines that they argue demonstrate his victory by an “insurmountable margin.” However, it is important to note that The New York Times has not independently verified these tallies.
This declaration from the United States escalates the international condemnation of an election fraught with irregularities, serving as a stern warning to Maduro that the global community rejects any attempt to legitimize what many perceive as a farcical electoral process. Even among Maduro’s allies in the leftist political sphere of Latin America, serious doubts have been expressed regarding the legitimacy of his claimed victory.
But the pressing question remains: will this international pressure have any tangible impact on Maduro’s hold on power? There exists a prevailing skepticism about whether foreign interventions can meaningfully influence the dynamics of Venezuelan politics, at least in the immediate future.
In fact, protests in support of González have mostly fizzled out, as security forces and pro-government militias have responded with brutal crackdowns. Reports indicate that at least 17 individuals have lost their lives, including one soldier, during confrontations related to the protests. Furthermore, approximately 750 people have been detained amid the unrest, according to statements made by the country’s attorney general.
Tragic scenes unfolded at the grave of Anthony Garcia, a 20-year-old who was fatally shot while driving near a protest in Caracas earlier this week.
Credit: Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times
