Several left-wing governments in Latin America and Europe have expressed their rejection of the results of the July 28, 2024 elections in Venezuela, citing the lack of transparency of President Nicolás Maduro, who continues to refuse to show the voting records.
Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) announced in a single statement and with only 80% of the ballots counted that Nicolás Maduro was the winner. But it has not provided any new updates or presented the minutes that support those results.
Although Maduro says that this is a coup by the extreme right, the truth is that his allies do not recognize the supposed victory either. Lula, Petro, López Obrador and other left-wing governments are demanding clarity from the electoral authorities.
Chile
Chilean President Gabriel Boric was the first to express his concern about the lack of clarity in the Venezuelan electoral process.
Boric stressed the importance of transparency and independent verification of the results to ensure the legitimacy of the democratic process. “It is crucial that all the minutes are presented to validate the results and give confidence to the citizens,” Boric said at a press conference.
Brazil
For his part, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has also questioned the validity of the election results in Venezuela. Lula insisted that without the publication of the minutes and an international audit, it is not possible to trust in the legitimacy of the elections. “Democracy requires transparency, and without it, the results are dubious,” Lula said in an interview.
Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has taken a similar stance, stressing the need for international oversight to ensure fair and free elections in Venezuela. Petro called on Maduro to allow international observation and review of voting records. “The international community must be present to ensure that the votes are counted correctly,” Petro said in a statement.
Mexico
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) also joined the critical voices, stating that democracy requires transparency and accountability. AMLO called for the publication of the voting records to dispel any doubts about the electoral process. “Without transparency, there can be no true democracy,” AMLO stressed during his morning press conference.
Spain
The Spanish government, through its president Pedro Sánchez, has also expressed reservations about the results of the elections in Venezuela. Sánchez insisted that the lack of transparency undermines confidence in the democratic process and urged the Venezuelan authorities to allow an independent review. “It is essential that Venezuelans and the international community can trust the election results,” Sánchez said in an official statement.
The opposition presents evidence of fraud
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, has declared itself the winner of the election, claiming to have obtained 55% of the vote. To back up its claim, the opposition has published 15,000 voting records. “We have the necessary evidence to prove our victory. We demand that the will of the people be respected,” Maria Corina said at a press conference.
International organizations and other countries
In addition to these governments, other international actors have expressed their position. The United States has rejected the election results and called for new elections under international observation. “The lack of transparency and the refusal to publish the voting records are unacceptable,” said a State Department spokesperson.
The European Union (EU) has echoed these concerns, saying that the lack of transparency in the elections is unacceptable. “Without a transparent process, the results cannot be considered legitimate,” said Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The Organization of American States (OAS) has also been critical, with its secretary general, Luis Almagro, denouncing irregularities and calling for a thorough audit. “Elections must be a true reflection of the will of the people, and for that, transparency is essential,” Almagro said in an official statement.
Several Latin American countries that have broken diplomatic relations with Venezuela, such as Argentina, Peru and Paraguay, have reiterated their position of not recognizing the election results without proper verification of the minutes. “The integrity of the electoral process is fundamental for any democracy,” said the president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández.
Despite mounting criticism, only a few countries, including Cuba, have recognized the results and Maduro’s victory. However, the question remains: if Maduro was the real winner, why is he not showing the minutes from the voting centers?
The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with a growing number of governments and international organisations calling for transparency and accountability in the electoral process to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people is respected.
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