Venezuelans have erupted in protests after President Nicolas Maduro was officially declared the winner of an election that the opposition says was fraudulent. Demonstrations have broken out across the country, with protesters even toppling a statue of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez. The protesters are demanding greater transparency in the election results, as the National Electoral Council controlled by Maduro loyalists has not released the tallies from each polling station. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claims her coalition has over 70 percent of the votes tallied in an online database, showing presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez defeating Maduro. But the CNE maintains Maduro won with 51 percent of the votes.
Maduro, in a televised address, accused the opposition of attempting a coup and vowed to uphold the law. Venezuela’s Attorney General launched an investigation into a cyber attack on the electoral system that allegedly slowed the vote count. Many Venezuelans expressed anger and disappointment over the election results, leading to protests and calls for a full breakdown of the results.
International observers and foreign leaders have urged Venezuela to release detailed election results. The Organization of American States has been called for an emergency meeting, and some Latin American countries, including Panama, have put diplomatic relations with Venezuela on hold pending a review of the election process. Opposition leaders are urging peaceful protests and urging Venezuelans to remain calm as they challenge the election results.
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