Venezuelan Election Official Questions Legitimacy of Maduro’s Victory

Shocking Admission from Venezuelan Election Official

In a startling revelation that is likely to send shockwaves through a nation already grappling with profound crises, one of Venezuela’s prominent election officials declared in a recent interview that he possesses no evidence to substantiate President Nicolás Maduro’s claim of victory in the election held on July 28. This statement marks a significant shift, as it represents the first major dissenting voice from within the electoral authority itself regarding the legitimacy of the election results.

Since the announcement of Maduro’s victory, skepticism has echoed around the globe, with numerous governments expressing doubt and outright disbelief regarding the election’s integrity. However, the comments made by Juan Carlos Delpino, a member of the governing body that proclaimed Maduro’s win, are particularly striking. Delpino stated candidly that he “had not received any evidence” confirming that Maduro actually secured a majority of the votes.

To further complicate matters, neither the electoral authority nor Maduro himself has released any official tallies to support the claim of his re-election. In stark contrast, the opposition has taken the initiative to publish documentation from thousands of voting machines, which indicates that their candidate, Edmundo González, achieved a commanding majority.

In a poignant reflection on the situation, Delpino criticized the electoral body for declaring Maduro the winner without any supporting evidence, stating that they “failed the country.” He expressed his deep regret, saying, “I am ashamed, and I ask the Venezuelan people for forgiveness. Because the entire plan that was woven — to hold elections accepted by all — was not achieved.”

Delpino, who is a lawyer and one of the two opposition-aligned members of Venezuela’s electoral council, made these statements while in hiding, fearing repercussions from the government. In recent weeks, Maduro’s security forces have systematically targeted anyone who dares to question his assertion of winning another six years in power. This atmosphere of fear has led many Venezuelans to worry that the regime’s forces are not just operating within the country but are also extending their reach across borders to silence dissenters.