Power struggle in Venezuela: USA sees victory of Venezuela’s opposition – Maduro angry

After the presidential election in Venezuela, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud, international pressure on the authoritarian head of state Nicolás Maduro is increasing – but he is going on the offensive. “The United States should not stick its nose into our affairs, because in Venezuela the sovereign people decide,” said the head of state after the USA recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the election winner. “Is the USA perhaps the electoral office? The fascist demon is the electoral office?”

Officially, the socialist Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, was declared the winner of Sunday’s election. However, the party-aligned electoral authority has not yet published the detailed results for the individual voting districts. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud and claims victory for González. In addition to the USA, the EU, the Organization of American States and a number of Latin American states also doubt the official election result.

After the USA and Peru, Argentina also recognized the opposition’s election victory. “We can all confirm without a doubt that Edmundo González is the rightful winner and elected president,” wrote Foreign Minister Diana Mondino on X. Because of the government in Buenos Aires’ critical stance, Maduro had already expelled Argentine diplomats from the country. Brazil then took over Argentina’s diplomatic representation in Venezuela and thus also the protection of six Venezuelan opposition members who had fled to the Argentine embassy in March.

According to its own statements, the opposition has the detailed results lists from more than 80 percent of the voting districts. According to them, González received 67 percent of the votes and Maduro only 30 percent. The government-loyal Supreme Court summoned all candidates today to check and certify the election results. “I will be there,” said Maduro. “I submit to the law, the institutions and the judiciary.”

Blinken calls for talks for peaceful transition

The US took a clear position. “Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the majority of votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It is now time for the parties in the South American country to begin talks on a “peaceful transition.”

González thanked Washington for the move. “We thank the United States for recognizing the will of the Venezuelan people, reflected in our electoral victory, and for supporting the restoration of democratic norms in Venezuela,” the ex-diplomat wrote to X.

Maduro accused the opposition of plotting against him with the US and planning a coup: “Edmundo González Urrutia is a murderer and a CIA agent.” The head of state had previously said that González and opposition leader María Corina Machado belonged in prison. Machado wrote in an article for the US newspaper “Wall Street Journal” that she was in hiding and feared for her freedom and her life. In a video shared on social media, she called for nationwide demonstrations on Saturday in which entire families were to take part.

According to the opposition, armed men attacked Machado’s campaign office in Caracas. Six masked men with firearms overpowered the security guards and ransacked the offices, the opposition party Vente Venezuela reported on X. They defaced the walls, destroyed the doors and stole equipment and documents. “We denounce the attacks and the insecurity we are subjected to for political reasons,” the statement said.

Maduro: “There will be no forgiveness”

Recently, numerous people in the South American country took to the streets to protest against what they saw as rigged election results. The police cracked down hard on the demonstrators. According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, at least eleven people were killed. In addition, according to official figures, over 1,200 people were arrested during the protests. They are now to be transferred to high-security prisons. “There will be no forgiveness,” said Maduro.

Maduro’s re-election in 2018 was not recognized by many countries. The then parliamentary president, Juan Guaidó, declared himself interim president. The USA, Germany and other countries recognized him, but he was unable to assert himself in the country – mainly because the military stood behind Maduro. Now, too, the armed forces have once again assured him of their loyalty.