Politics Recognition of rival: Maduro accuses USA of interference

Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the USA's recognition of opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the controversial presidential election.

"The United States should not stick its nose into our affairs, because in Venezuela the sovereign people decide," said the head of state. "Is the USA perhaps the electoral office? The fascist demon is the electoral office?"

The electoral authority, which is loyal to the government, declared Maduro, the socialist who has been in power since 2013, the winner of Sunday's election. However, it has not yet published a breakdown of the results for the individual constituencies. The opposition is accusing the government of electoral fraud and is claiming victory for González. In addition to the USA, the EU, the Organization of American States and a number of Latin American countries are also questioning the official election results.

According to their own information, the opposition has the detailed results lists from more than 80 percent of the constituencies. According to these, González is said to have received 67 percent of the votes and Maduro only 30 percent. The Supreme Court, which is loyal to the government, summoned all candidates for today in order to verify and certify the election results. "I will be there," said Maduro. "I submit to the law, the institutions and the judiciary."

Blinken calls for talks for peaceful transition

The USA took a clear position. "Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States, and especially to the Venezuelan people, that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes in Venezuela's presidential election on July 28," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He said it was now time for the parties in the South American country to begin talks on a "peaceful transition".

González thanked Washington for the move. "We thank the US for recognizing the will of the Venezuelan people, which is reflected in our electoral victory, and for supporting the restoration of democratic norms in Venezuela," the ex-diplomat wrote on X.

Maduro accused the opposition of plotting with the USA against him and planning a coup: "Edmundo González Urrutia is a murderer and an agent of the CIA." The head of state had previously said that González and opposition leader María Corina Machado belonged in prison. Machado wrote in an article for the US newspaper "Wall Street Journal" that she was in hiding and feared for her freedom and her life. In a video distributed via social media, she called for nationwide demonstrations on Saturday in which entire families should take part.

Maduro: "There will be no forgiveness"

Recently, numerous people took to the streets in the South American country to protest against what they saw as a manipulated election result. The police cracked down on the demonstrators. According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, at least eleven people lost their lives. According to official figures, over 1,200 people were also arrested during the protests. They are now to be transferred to high-security prisons. "There will be no forgiveness", said Maduro.

Maduro's re-election in 2018 had already not been recognized by many countries. The then parliamentary president Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president. The USA, Germany and other countries recognized him, but he was unable to assert himself in the country - mainly because the military backed Maduro. The armed forces have once again pledged their loyalty to him.

SDA