Clear evidence that Venezuela’s opposition won the election

The US Secretary of State says there is “clear evidence” that the Venezuelan opposition won the recent presidential election.

In a statement, Antony Blinken said it was clear that Edmundo González had won the most votes – despite incumbent President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial claim of victory.

“Given this overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and most importantly to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in the Venezuelan presidential election on July 28,” Mr. Blinken said.

His intervention comes as the presidents of Brazil, Mexico and Colombia have all called on Venezuela to release full details of last Sunday’s election.

Last Sunday, the government-controlled electoral council declared President Maduro the winner of a third term.

But this was immediately challenged by the opposition, which argued that, with access to the majority of receipts from electronic voting machines across the country, this was untrue.

The opposition said its vote count showed it had won the election by a large margin. Pre-election polls showed a clear victory for the challenger.

President Maduro has previously accused foreign governments of interfering in the election.

He has steadfastly denied election fraud and said the opposition had instigated a coup by contesting the results.

The announcement of President Maduro’s victory sparked bloody protests in Caracas.

It also drew global criticism as many governments around the world demanded that the Venezuelan government release evidence of the results.

This result has been recognized by Venezuela’s allies China, Russia and Iran.

However, the United States, the European Union and other G7 countries have called on President Maduro’s government to release detailed voting data.

Posting on social media, Mr Blinken said: “Election data clearly demonstrates the will of the Venezuelan people: democratic opposition candidate Edmundo González won the most votes in Sunday’s election.

“The Venezuelan people have voted and their vote must count.”

Mr Blinken’s intervention was significant. After The most recent election in 2018 was widely criticized as neither free nor fair.Countries including the United States decided to recognize then-opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president and imposed sanctions on Venezuela.

Mr. Blinken said it was time for the parties in Venezuela to begin discussing a peaceful transition that respects Venezuela’s electoral laws and the will of the Venezuelan people.