Venezuelan opposition declares Maduro's rival Gonzalez president-elect
2 Min Read
Venezuela's opposition calls for a rally to defend its take on the vote after Maduro was declared the winner of the election.
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Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, right, and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez hold a press conference after electoral authorities declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP)
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced on Monday that the opposition views Edmundo Gonzalez, the main rival to President Nicolas Maduro, as the winner of Sunday's presidential election.
Machado said, "I would like to tell all Venezuelans and the world that Venezuela has the next president, and it is Edmundo Gonzalez... All of the world knows that. We won in all of the country's states."
Elvis Amoroso, chairman of Venezuela's National Electoral Council, declared Maduro the winner of the election, citing that he secured 51.2% of the vote with 80% of the ballots counted.
Exit polls put Gonzalez, of the Unitary Platform opposition alliance, at 44.2%, while Machado claimed that Gonzalez scored 70%.
Venezolanos, esto es hasta el final. Eso significa quedarnos todos en los centros de votación hasta contar los votos y obtener las actas.
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) July 29, 2024
Haremos prevalecer la verdad y respetar la Soberanía Popular.
She said the opposition alliance would rally the people to defend its take on the vote.
Venezolanos, esto es hasta el final. Eso significa quedarnos todos en los centros de votación hasta contar los votos y obtener las actas.
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) July 29, 2024
Haremos prevalecer la verdad y respetar la Soberanía Popular.
The move by the opposition could risk destabilizing the country at a critical time, particularly since countries that have meddled in Venezuela's internal affairs over the past few years and sowed instability are rejecting the results as well.
For Maduro, the upcoming six-year term will be his third consecutive presidential term. He has led the Bolivarian Republic since 2013, and his inauguration as the newly reelected president is scheduled for January 10, 2025.
On Sunday, In his first speech after being named the winner of the presidential election, Maduro asked foreign countries interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs for respect for “the sovereign life of Venezuela” and “popular will.”
“This is not the first time that they have tried to violate the peace of the Republic,” he stressed.
He added, "This is a victory for peace, stability, and the Republican legacy. This is a victory for equality. From today, there will be peace and stability in the country." Addressing late President Hugo Chavez, Maduro said, "This is your victory, Chavez."
