The Biden administration is pressing Venezuelan authorities to release vote tallies from the recent presidential election, which they clai...
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The Biden administration is pressing Venezuelan authorities to release vote tallies from the recent presidential election, which they claim show that opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia won by a large margin. Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols stated that "irrefutable evidence" based on local precinct tallies indicates González defeated incumbent Nicolás Maduro by a significant majority.
Under Venezuelan law, the election authority, CNE, is required to publicly release these tallies, known as "actas," within three days of the election. However, as of Wednesday, this data has not been released, prompting suspicions of electoral fraud. The opposition claims to have obtained two-thirds of the tally sheets, showing González leading with 67% of the vote compared to Maduro's 30%.
Nichols questioned why the CNE has delayed releasing the results, suggesting either an attempt to hide the true outcome or to buy time to fabricate data. In response, Maduro has requested an audit of the election by the country's high court, a move met with skepticism by international observers due to the court's lack of independence.
Maduro's allies in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia have also called for transparency, with Colombian President Petro warning of potential "violent polarization" if the election results are not clarified. Meanwhile, Maduro has threatened a "new revolution" if pressured by foreign powers, maintaining the support of key allies such as Russia, China, and Iran.
The situation remains tense, with the international community watching closely. The controversy comes amid Venezuela's ongoing economic crisis and a refugee exodus that has affected neighboring countries and the U.S. The outcome of this election and the response of the international community could have significant implications for the region.
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