Maduro: US backs González as winner of Venezuela presidential election

The United States has backed Edmundo González as the duly elected winner of Venezuela’s July 28, 2024 Presidential election.

This is as the US rejected Nicolas Maduro’s claimed victory to clinch a third consecutive term in power as president.

Although the the National Electoral Council, CNE declared Maduro the winner of the election, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken threw weight behind González.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday from the US Department of State.

Blinken noted that the National Electoral Council’s declaration of Maduro’s victory is “deeply flawed” and lacks credibility.

He cited opposition-published tally sheets from over 80 percent of polling stations, indicating González won by an “insurmountable margin,” corroborated by independent observers and exit polls.

The U.S. lauded the 12 million Venezuelans who voted despite challenges and rejected Maduro’s allegations against opposition leaders.

Blinken called for the release of those arrested for protesting against Maduro.

This comes after anti-Maduro protesters across the country in recent times.