Streets quiet in Venezuela as government, opposition tussle over election result

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro waves as he attends an event at the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Caracas, Venezuela July 29, 2024. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

Venezuela’s Contested Election Results Leave Nation in Uncertainty

Towns and cities across Venezuela were largely deserted, and opposition supporters remained subdued on Monday, following a contentious weekend election where both President Nicolas Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez claimed victory.

Election Results and Reactions

• Maduro’s Claim: The national electoral authority announced just after midnight that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of the vote, extending a quarter-century of socialist rule.
• Opposition’s Claim: Independent exit polls indicated a substantial victory for Gonzalez, with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claiming he received 70% of the vote. Machado, barred from holding public office, described the ruling as unjust and cited irregularities on polling day, such as opposition witnesses being blocked from vote counts.

Public Response and International Reactions

• Public Transport and Business: Reuters witnesses reported few businesses open and scarce public transport nationwide. In Caracas, areas like Petare and 23 de Enero witnessed a “cacerolazo,” a traditional protest involving banging pots and pans.
• Public Sentiment: Many Venezuelans expressed resignation and despair. Retiree Dalia Romero in Maracaibo lamented, “Maduro yesterday shattered my greatest dream, to see my only daughter again, who went to Argentina three years ago.”
• Economic Impact: Venezuela’s bonds and those of state oil firm PDVSA saw a decline, with values dropping between 1.5 and 5 cents on the dollar on Monday.

Statements from Key Figures

• Nicolas Maduro: Reiterated his campaign assertion that Venezuela’s electoral system is transparent and announced a forthcoming decree for a “great national dialogue.”
• Edmundo Gonzalez: Called for calm and warned against violence, despite reports of arrests and intimidation of his supporters.
• Maria Corina Machado: Urged the military to uphold the true vote results, emphasizing the people’s desire for change.

Incidents and Security Concerns

• Violence and Arrests: Isolated incidents of violence were reported, including a death in Tachira state and scuffles at polling sites. Opposition lawmaker Juan Pablo Guanipa reported the arrest of Spanish journalist Juan Martinez, though this remains unverified by Reuters.
• International Stance: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed serious concerns over the official results, while Brazil and Mexico are closely monitoring the situation. In contrast, Russia, Cuba, Honduras, and Bolivia have supported Maduro’s alleged victory.

Election Polling and Discrepancies

• Exit Polls: Edison Research published an exit poll showing Gonzalez with 65% of the vote, while Maduro had 31%. Edison’s Executive Vice President Rob Farbman called the official results “silly” and stood by their survey findings.
• Local Polling: Meganalisis indicated a 65% vote for Gonzalez and just under 14% for Maduro, questioning the fairness of the electoral process given prior decisions by electoral authorities and arrests of opposition members.

Historical and Political Context

• Maduro’s Tenure: Maduro, a former bus driver and foreign minister, took office in 2013 following the death of Hugo Chavez. His 2018 reelection is considered fraudulent by the U.S. and other nations, which label him a dictator.
• Economic and Diplomatic Issues: Maduro’s presidency has overseen an economic collapse, mass migration, and strained diplomatic relations, exacerbated by international sanctions targeting the oil industry.