Venezuela’s Supreme Court Declares Maduro Winner of Disputed Presidential Election
Venezuela’s disputed presidential election has taken another blow, with the Supreme Court confirming President Nicolas Maduro as the winner, despite widespread opposition claims of electoral fraud. The ruling, announced on Thursday, has sparked outrage and condemnation from the opposition, as well as international critics.
The Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner, citing “indisputable” election results certified by the National Electoral Council (CNE). The CNE had already declared Maduro the winner, without providing a precinct-level breakdown of results due to a supposed cyber attack.
Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who claimed he won the election, responded to the court’s ruling by posting an image saying “void” on social media, denouncing the decision as a ” consolidation of fraud”.
The opposition’s own tally of polling station-level results shows Gonzalez Urrutia winning over 67% of the vote, while the CNE claims Maduro secured 52% of the ballots cast.
The United Nations Human Rights Council expressed concerns over the impartiality of the Supreme Court and the CNE, citing reports of government influence over judicial decisions. Additionally, Human Rights Watch Americas division director, Juanita Goebertus, denounced the ruling as an attempt to “judicially cover up electoral fraud”.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric sharply criticized the decision, calling it “a consolidation of fraud” and accusing Venezuela of falsifying elections. He also highlighted the country’s human rights abuses and indifference to its own expatriate community.
The number of fatalities in post-election violence has risen to 27, with over 190 people injured and 2,400 arrested in election-related protests.
Venezuela’s parliament has delayed debate on a law against “fascism”, seen by detractors as a means of cracking down on political opponents, amid ongoing tensions and international outrage over the election results.
The story highlights the deepening political and economic crisis in Venezuela, with the country mired in corruption, human rights abuses, and international isolation.