CARACAS: In an electoral event marked by delays and tensions, Nicolás Maduro has been proclaimed the winner of the Venezuelan presidential elections held this Sunday. The acting president obtained 51.20% of the votes, reaching a total of 5,150,092 votes, according to the National Electoral Council (CNE).
The announcement of Maduro's victory came more than four hours late due to what the president of the CNE, Elvis Amoroso, described as an "attack" on the data transmission system. However, Amoroso did not offer additional details about the incident. The announced results reflect 80% of the votes counted, with a participation of 59% of the electorate.
Maduro, nominated by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), will thus begin his third presidential term, which will run from January 2025 to January 2031. His main rival, Edmundo González Urrutia, of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), won 44.2% of the votes, adding up to a total of 4,445,978 votes. This election has been one of the greatest challenges for Maduro since he assumed power 11 years ago, after the death of Hugo Chávez.
The CNE has also asked the Attorney General's Office to investigate the incident that affected the transmission of data, a request that adds to the growing accusations of irregularities in the electoral process. The polls prior to the event, which indicated a clear advantage for González Urrutia, contrasted with the final result, generating skepticism among analysts and observers.
Despite criticism and accusations of fraud from the opposition, Maduro has reaffirmed his confidence in the legitimacy of the process and his commitment to the socialist project initiated by Chavez 25 years ago.
Amoroso explained the delay in releasing the results of Sunday’s election was due to an attack on the electoral body’s data release system.
Corina Machado, a leader of Venezuelan opposition, said the campaign team of presidential hopeful Edmundo Gonzalez will not recognize his defeat in the vote. Throughout the day of the voting, CNN’s Spanish news channel broadcast statements by Gonzalez’s supporters claiming his lead over Maduro.
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