Maduro’s re-election sparks protests

Against all expectations and contrary to the voting intentions measured in the polls for weeks, Nicolas Maduro was re-elected president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on July 28, 2024. Heir apparent and then successor to the authoritarian socialist Hugo Chavez at the head of his South American country of 28 million inhabitants, he received 51.2% of the vote according to the National Electoral Council (CNE) – a body close to power, in place since 1999. His opponent, the liberal Edmundo Gonzalez, a unitary candidate of the major opposition parties, obtained 44.2%.

As soon as Nicolas Maduro’s re-election was announced, the cry of “fraud!” echoed through the streets of the capital Caracas and the opposition refused to recognize the results, arguing that its candidate had received “70% of the votes”. The cause of this distrust? The opacity of the vote, the absence of reports attesting to the results in the various polling stations and the Venezuelan government’s refusal to allow international observers to be present to ensure the transparency of the elections.

International protests are increasing

The first salvo of protest came from the Chilean government. “The Maduro regime must understand that the results it publishes are difficult to believe (…) Chile will not recognize any result that is not verifiable,” declared its president Gabriel Boric, following the results.

In Brazil, expectation is also prevalent. Brasilia has declared that it is waiting for “the publication by the National Electoral Council of data broken down by polling station, an essential step to guarantee the transparency, credibility and legitimacy of the results of the electoral process.” The same is true in neighboring Colombia: “It is important to dispel all doubts about the results. This implies that international observers and monitors present their conclusions on the process,” declared Luis Gilberto Murillo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Panama announced that it was joining “the general rejection of the electoral result in Venezuela”, as were Uruguay and Ecuador. The latter also notified, through its president, Daniel Noboa, “that it was taking the necessary measures to convene the Permanent Council of the OAS (Organization of American States) in order to address the delicate situation that Venezuela is going through”.

US and Europe criticize lack of transparency in vote

The United States was quick to react to the re-election of the leader with whom it has strained relations. Since 2019, the White House has applied an embargo on Venezuelan oil, gas and gold. The lifting of its sanctions had been negotiated in October 2023, in exchange for holding a presidential election in 2024. But its conduct leaves Anthony Blinken, the American Secretary of State, perplexed, who expresses “serious doubts” about the accuracy of its outcome. “We have serious concerns that the announced result does not reflect the will or the vote of the Venezuelan people,” he declared.

For its part, the European Union spoke through its head of diplomacy, Josep Borell. “Venezuelans have voted on the future of their country peacefully and in large numbers. Their will must be respected. It is essential to guarantee the total transparency of the electoral process, including the detailed counting of votes and access to the minutes of the polling stations,” he said on the social network X, formerly Twitter.

China and Russia recognize Maduro’s victory

Under fire from the West and Latin America for his regime’s authoritarianism and lack of electoral transparency, Nicolas Maduro has nevertheless received significant support on the international scene. Russia and China, as well as his other usual allies: Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras and Bolivia, congratulated the 61-year-old leader on his third consecutive term.

Vladimir Putin said he was “ready” to continue “constructive joint work”, while Beijing said it wanted to “enrich (its) strategic partnership (with Venezuela) and to benefit the peoples of both countries”. The acceptance of the Venezuelan people remains uncertain while these results are already considered “irreversible” by the National Electoral Council.