U.S. Recognizes Edmundo González as Winner of Venezuela’s Disputed Election

U.S. Recognizes Edmundo González as Winner of Venezuela’s Disputed Presidential Election

On Thursday night, the United States officially acknowledged Edmundo González, the opposition’s presidential candidate, as the victor of Venezuela’s contentious presidential election. This announcement was made by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, despite claims from Nicolás Maduro, the country’s authoritarian leader, and the government-controlled electoral body asserting that Maduro emerged victorious.

To date, Maduro has not presented clear evidence to substantiate his claim of victory, and electoral officials have failed to release a comprehensive vote count. However, Mr. González’s campaign asserts that it possesses documentation from over 80 percent of voting machines, indicating that he won the election by a substantial margin.

While various leaders have expressed their support for Mr. González in recent days, the recognition from the United States marks a significant moment, as it is the largest nation to endorse him following the election held on Sunday. This decision is likely to provoke anger from Maduro, who has long portrayed Washington as an intrusive imperialist force. However, the implications of this announcement on Maduro’s hold on power remain uncertain.

In his statement, Mr. Blinken emphasized, “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.” He went on to congratulate González, stating, “Now is the time for the Venezuelan parties to initiate discussions on a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law.”

González’s candidacy, backed by popular opposition leader María Corina Machado, represents the most significant electoral challenge to Maduro’s regime since he assumed power in 2013. The political movement led by Maduro, known as Chavismo, has dominated Venezuelan politics for 25 years, following the election of President Hugo Chávez. Under their governance, the country has witnessed a marked increase in authoritarianism, with the systematic arrest of dissidents, violent suppression of protests, and the orchestration of elections favoring the ruling party.

In recent days, enraged supporters of Mr. González have taken to the streets to voice their discontent, resulting in a harsh crackdown by security forces and armed pro-government militias. According to human rights organization Foro Penal, at least 17 individuals have lost their lives in the unrest, as reported through interviews conducted at a morgue by The New York Times. Additionally, approximately 750 individuals have been detained, according to the country’s attorney general.