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U.S. Recognizes Venezuelan Opposition Candidate as Election Winner Amid Controversy

The U.S. has officially recognized the Venezuelan opposition candidate as the winner of the recent elections, stirring controversy amid claims of electoral fraud and political unrest. Explore the implications of this decision on Venezuela’s future.

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U.S. Declares Venezuelan Opposition Candidate the Winner Amid Election Controversy

The message delivered on Thursday night was unequivocal: the United States has officially recognized the opposition presidential candidate of Venezuela as the victor in the recent election held on Sunday. This declaration comes in stark contrast to the announcement made by election officials proclaiming that the country’s autocratic leader, President Nicolás Maduro, had secured another term.

The Biden administration pointed out that the Maduro government has failed to provide credible data to support its claim of victory. In contrast, Edmundo González, the opposition candidate, has presented his own tallies derived from a significant number of voting machines, which his team asserts demonstrate that he won by an “insurmountable margin.” However, it is important to note that these figures have not been independently verified by The New York Times.

This U.S. declaration adds momentum to the international outcry against a vote marred by irregularities and serves as a warning to Mr. Maduro that the global community would not accept what many perceive as a farcical election process. Even among the ranks of Mr. Maduro’s leftist allies in Latin America, there are serious reservations regarding the legitimacy of his claimed victory.

But the pressing question remains: will this recognition matter in the long run? There exists a pervasive skepticism regarding the impact of foreign pressure on Mr. Maduro’s stronghold over power, at least in the immediate future.

Protests advocating for Mr. González have already begun to dwindle, as security forces and pro-government militias have responded with escalating violence. Reports indicate that at least 17 individuals have lost their lives in the unrest, including a soldier. Furthermore, approximately 750 people have been detained during the demonstrations, according to statements from the country’s attorney general.

In a poignant moment of remembrance, friends gathered at the grave of Anthony Garcia, a 20-year-old who was tragically shot while driving near a protest in Caracas on Monday.

Credit: Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times

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