Blinken: Venezuela opposition candidate ‘won the most votes’

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday condemned the “deeply flawed” Venezuelan election results that said the opposition candidate did not win.

In a statement, Blinken said the United States applauds the 12 million Venezuelan people who participated in the July 28 presidential election but said President Nicolás Maduro was not the real winner.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the winner, despite not publishing precinct-level results from the voting machines.

“Unfortunately, the processing of those votes and the announcement of results by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) were deeply flawed, yielding an announced outcome that does not represent the will of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken’s statement said.

The U.S. is arguing that CNE’s “rapid declaration” of Maduro as the election winner has no supporting evidence. The CNE has not published disaggregated data despite calls from the Biden administration, stripping the organization of its credibility, the statement said.

Blinken said democratic opposition has published 80 percent of the tally sheets from polling stations in Venezuela and it shows Maduro’s challenger, Edmundo González Urrutia, as the true winner.

“Given the 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 Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election,” Blinken said.

Blinken called for the safety and protection of Edmundo González and other opposition leaders, including those who have been arrested for protesting the electoral process.

“We congratulate Edmundo González Urrutia on his successful campaign. Now is the time for the Venezuelan parties to begin discussions on a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law and the wishes of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken said.

The Secretary of State said the U.S. supports re-establishing democratic norms in Venezuela and is ready to help with other international partners.