Extension of 6-Year Term Makes 18-Year Long-Term Rule Visible
Opposition and US Raise Allegations of Election Fraud
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has secured a third term. With Maduro, who first took power in 2013, extending his term by six years, he continues his long-term rule. However, opposition parties and the international community have raised suspicions of election fraud, signaling potential turmoil ahead.
According to the Washington Post (WP) and others on the 29th (local time), Elvis Amoroso, chairman of Venezuela's National Electoral Council, announced around 12:10 a.m., "With about 80% of the votes counted, President Maduro recorded 51.2% of the vote, ranking first," adding, "Considering the vote margin with the second-place candidate, Maduro's victory is irreversible." The opposition coalition candidate opposing Maduro, Edmundo Gonzalez Urtia, received 44.2% of the vote.
At a rally held in front of the presidential palace that day, President Maduro praised Venezuela's electoral system, saying it "possesses a very high level of trust, security, and transparency," celebrating it as a victory for peace and stability. He continued, "We will provide irrefutable evidence of the election victory within 24 hours," emphasizing, "It was an overwhelming margin." He also added that he would sign a decree to hold a "large-scale national dialogue."
However, the opposition coalition is protesting the election results as fraudulent, citing concerns over transparency. This is because the results are the exact opposite of exit polls. According to an exit poll by Edison Research, known for U.S. election polling, candidate Gonzalez Urtia led with 65% of the vote, far ahead of Maduro's 31%. At the time, Gonzalez Urtia posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "The people have chosen change in peace," adding, "The results cannot be denied."
The Associated Press reported, "The National Electoral Council, controlled by Maduro supporters, has yet to release official results from more than 15,000 polling stations, hindering the opposition's verification efforts," and noted, "The opposition coalition is preparing to file objections." Local media El Nacional reported, "After voting, democratic opposition citizen groups attempted to enter polling stations to inspect ballot box seals and vote counting but were blocked," adding, "Physical clashes and verbal abuse from the electoral council were also reported."
Western powers have also expressed concerns about possible election fraud. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "It is deeply concerning that the announced results do not reflect the will or votes of the Venezuelan people," urging the local electoral council to disclose detailed voting results. Republican Senator Marco Rubio also raised suspicions of fraud, stating, "This was the most predictable and ridiculous fake election in modern history." Earlier, Western media had predicted Gonzalez Urtia's victory based on severe inflation, economic collapse, deteriorating diplomatic relations, and increased migration during Maduro's rule.
With Maduro, regarded as the successor to former President Hugo Chavez, securing another term, Venezuela sets a record of over 30 years under the 'Chavismo' system, characterized by nationalist populism. President Maduro, a prominent anti-American leader, has pledged to revitalize the economy by overcoming U.S. sanctions, strengthen solidarity with neighboring leftist regimes, and modernize oil facilities. The U.S. government has imposed strong sanctions on Venezuela's oil and gas industry, citing democratic erosion and human rights abuses.
Concerns are also rising that Venezuelan society could plunge into chaos as opposition forces, hopeful for regime change, may engage in election refusal movements or increased emigration abroad. According to a poll by Delphos in April, about one-quarter of Venezuelans are considering emigration if the Maduro regime is re-elected. Approximately 7.7 million Venezuelans have emigrated over the past decade.
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