Venezuela’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory

Venezuela‘s ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), has declared victory in the country’s regional and parliamentary elections, which were largely boycotted by opposition parties. According to the electoral council (CNE), PSUV candidates won 23 out of 24 gubernatorial races and secured 82.68% of the votes cast for the National Assembly.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado disputed the results, claiming that turnout was below 15% and stating, “More than 85% of Venezuelans did not obey this regime and said ‘no’.” Independent journalists reported low voter turnout, contradicting the CNE’s estimate of 42.6%.

The opposition has long questioned the CNE’s independence, citing its handling of the 2024 presidential election. Despite international criticism, the CNE declared Nicolás Maduro the winner without providing detailed voting tallies. Venezuela’s opposition published its own voting tallies, showing Edmundo González as the overwhelming winner.

Some opposition politicians, including Henrique Capriles, chose to participate in the elections, arguing that abstaining would be a mistake. Capriles stated, “Voting in Venezuela is an expression of resistance, of resilience, of not giving up.” However, Machado’s faction criticized this decision, accusing them of “betraying the cause.”

The elections were marred by controversy, including the arrest of over 70 opposition members allegedly planning to sabotage the vote. Machado denounced these actions as “state terrorism, pure and simple.” The Maduro government also defied an International Court of Justice order by holding elections for representatives in the disputed Essequibo region, which is controlled by neighboring Guyana. President Irfaan Ali of Guyana condemned the move, vowing to protect his country’s territorial integrity.

Key Reactions:

• Nicolás Maduro’s Statement: Maduro hailed the result as a “victory of peace and stability”.
• Opposition’s Stance: María Corina Machado called for respecting the July presidential election results before holding new elections, saying “We voted on 28 July. On 25 May, we won’t vote.”
• International Response: The Guyanese president denounced Venezuela’s actions in the Essequibo region as “scandalous, false, propagandistic, opportunistic”.