While many governments in the region said they were doubting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's reelection on Sunday, the Brazilian administration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed the fundamental principle of popular sovereignty and said it would wait for the release of all the minutes before congratulations are in order, Agencia Brasil reported.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed serious doubts on Monday regarding the legitimacy of Venezuela's presidential election results, which declared incumbent President Nicolás Maduro the winner. Boric emphasized that his government would not recognize any outcome that could not be verified through transparent processes.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro greeted his followers from Caracas' Miraflores Palace to celebrate victory after the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced that he had defeated opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. According to CNE Chairman Elvis Amoroso, Maduro collected 51.2% of the vote, against his rival's 44.2% with 80% of the vote counted.
Venezuelans are heading to the polls today in a highly anticipated presidential election that could end a quarter-century of Chavismo. The nation faces a crucial decision between maintaining the current government under President Nicolás Maduro or opting for change led by opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, supported by political leader Maria Corina Machado.
Leftwing governments in South America seem to have turned their backs on Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro after he forecasted last week that his country would be heading for a bloodbath if he failed to win Sunday's presidential elections.
In the week prior to Venezuela's elections, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Omar Paganini insisted that it is time to defend democracy in that country so that the people can freely choose their government. He also called for the process to be held in peace and hoped that the votes would be counted with transparency. After that, he wished the outcome would be accepted by all those involved.
Seven days before the general elections in which President Nicolás Maduro seeks another term in office, Agência Brasil reported that polls would be unable to forecast a clear winner. While many regard opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the favorite, other surveys find Maduro ahead.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed alarm at Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's recent remarks suggesting potential violence if he loses the upcoming election. Speaking in an interview with international news agencies, Lula condemned Maduro’s statements, which included threats of a “bloodbath” and “civil war,” as dangerous and unacceptable.
Uruguay, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Paraguay Friday signed a declaration expressing these countries' concern over the mounting “harassment and persecution” the Venezuelan regime of President Nicolás Maduro is exerting on opposition leaders ahead of the July 28 elections which most pollsters foresee he is bound to lose.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro foresaw a bloodbath in his country if he fails to be reelected on July 28. According to the most recent surveys, he would be trailing opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia by more than 10 percentage points.