Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Nicolás Maduro the “winner” of Sunday’s election, granting him a six-year term. The results contradict exit polls and preliminary tallies that suggested an overwhelming victory for Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González—the only legitimate opposition candidate allowed to be on the ballot—against the ruling dictator. The Venezuelan opposition immediately contested the election, with several regional leaders questioning Maduro’s “victory.” U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed concerns that the results announced do not reflect the will or votes of the Venezuelan people.
Controversial Election in Venezuela: Maduro Declared Winner Amidst Opposition Protests
