Venezuela election results: Both sides declare victory | Real Time Headlines

President Nicolás Maduro and his opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez both claimed victory in Venezuela’s presidential election on Monday, Washington and others said. foreign government There is skepticism about official results that keep incumbents in power.

The country’s electoral body said after midnight that Maduro won a third term with 51% of the vote, a result that would extend socialist rule for a quarter of a century.

But independent exit polls showed a significant victory for the opposition after Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado showed enthusiastic support on the campaign trail.

Gonzalez said he won 70% of the vote Machadoshe was barred from holding public office, a decision she said was unfair.

Gonzalez told supporters that the rules were violated on voting day.

“Our message of reconciliation and peaceful change remains… Our struggle continues and we will not rest until the will of the Venezuelan people is respected,” he said.

It’s unclear what the opposition’s next steps might be. Gonzalez also said he was not calling on supporters to take to the streets or commit any acts of violence.

But the results were preceded by isolated incidents across the country, including the death of a man in Tachira state and scuffles at polling stations in Caracas and elsewhere. Police broke up the protest in Katia, traditionally a bastion of the ruling party in western Caracas.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken It said Washington was seriously concerned that the results released by election authorities did not reflect the people’s votes. The agency is supposed to be independent, but the opposition says it is an arm of Maduro’s government.

Caracas and Washington have long had a hostile relationship, dating back to the days of left-wing populist Hugo Chavez. Maduro, 61, a former bus driver and foreign minister, first took office after Chavez’s death in 2013. The United States and other countries considered his 2018 re-election to be fraudulent and called him a dictator.

Maduro presided over economic collapse, migrate About a third of the population has been affected, diplomatic relations have deteriorated sharply, and sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and others have paralyzed the country’s economy. The oil industry is already in trouble.

Argentinian President Javier Milley called the official results a fraud, while Costa Rica and Peru refused to accept them, while Chile said it would not accept any results that could not be verified.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Alvarez said details of all polling stations should be provided to ensure the results are fully verifiable. “We ask for calm and civility on Election Day,” he said.

Russia, Cuba, Honduras and Bolivia Cheers for Maduro’s victory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Maduro, praised the strategic partnership between the two countries, and stated that they will continue to work together on bilateral and international issues.

“Remember that you are always a welcome guest on Russian soil,” Putin said.

cutting cake

Maduro reiterated his campaign claim that Venezuela’s electoral system is transparent.

He said he would sign a decree on Monday to hold a “great national dialogue” as he celebrated with supporters before cutting a birthday cake for his late mentor Chavez, who would have turned 70 on Sunday.

Exit polls released by Edison Research showed Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat known for his calm demeanor, won 65% of the vote to Maduro’s 31%.

Local firm Meganalisis predicted Gonzalez would get 65% of the vote and Maduro just under 14%.

The opposition and poll watchers raised questions ahead of the vote over whether the vote was fair and said the electoral authorities and electoral commission’s decisions arrest The purpose of the opposition staff is to create obstacles.

Machado appeals to the country’s military Stick to results Voters have made it clear they don’t want Maduro, poll results show.

Venezuela’s military has long supported Maduro, and there have been no public signs that the armed forces leader is breaking away from the government.