Reactions to the announcement that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had won a third term in the country’s elections highlight deep divisions around the world.
Venezuela’s electoral authorities announced on Monday that Maduro had won with 51 percent of the vote, but the opposition claims their candidate, former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, got about 70 percent.
The electoral commission has yet to release an official tally of votes from Venezuela’s 30,000 polling stations, preventing the opposition from verifying the results.
But the reaction to the published results was immediate.
America
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States has “serious concerns that the announced results do not reflect the will and vote of the Venezuelan people.”
“It is vital that all votes are counted fairly and transparently, that electoral authorities share information immediately with the opposition and independent observers without delay, and that electoral authorities publish detailed vote tallies,” he said.
England
London said it was “concerned” about allegations of “irregularities” in the vote count.
“We call for the prompt and transparent publication of complete and detailed results so that the outcome reflects the vote of the Venezuelan people,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
european union
“The Venezuelan people voted peacefully and in large numbers for the future of their country. Their will must be respected. It is vital that there is full transparency of the electoral process, including access to voting records at polling stations and a detailed vote count,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on X.
The Venezuelan people peacefully and en masse voted for the future of their country.
Their wishes must be respected.
Ensuring full transparency of the electoral process, including detailed tallying of votes and access to voting records at polling stations, is crucial.
— Josep Borrell Fontells (@JosepBorrellF) July 29, 2024
Chile
“The Maduro regime must understand that the published findings are hard to believe,” President Gabriel Borik said in a post on X.
“The international community, particularly the Venezuelan people and millions of Venezuelans in exile, demand full transparency of the electoral record and process, and that international observers independent of the government report on the accuracy of the election results. We will not accept any results that cannot be verified from Chile,” Bolick wrote on X.
Maduro’s rule will be carried out with consideration of difficult consequences in the public sphere, including the international community, the security situation in Pueblo Venezolano, Venezolanos Los Mirones and Mexico, and full transparency of acts and processes in Mexico…
— Gabriel Boric Font (@GabrielBoric) July 29, 2024
Peru
“I completely condemn the series of fraudulent acts committed by the Venezuelan government with the intent to defraud. Peru will not tolerate the violation of the will of the Venezuelan people,” Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez Olaechea wrote on X.
“The Peruvian Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was immediately recalled for consultations.”
Columbia
“After being in constant contact with all the political actors involved in the presidential elections, we believe it is essential to hear the voices of all sectors. It is important to dispel any doubts about the election results,” Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo wrote on X.
The Colombian government called for “the total vote count, its verification and an independent audit to be carried out as soon as possible,” he added.
Argentina
“Argentina will not accept new fraud and expects the military to defend democracy and the will of the people this time,” President Javier Milley said ahead of the announcement of the results.
In contrast to these Western allies, several other countries also offered their congratulations to Maduro.
Russia
“Relations between Russia and Venezuela have the character of a strategic partnership. I am sure that your activities as Head of State will continue to contribute to the progressive development of our two countries in all directions,” said President Vladimir Putin.
“I would like to assure you that we are ready to continue our constructive joint work on current issues on the bilateral and international agenda. You are always welcome on Russian soil.”
China
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China congratulated Maduro on his “successful re-election” and congratulated Venezuela on the “smooth conduct of the presidential elections.”
“China is ready to strengthen the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries to further benefit the two peoples,” he said. “China and Venezuela are good friends and partners that support each other.”
Cuba
President Miguel Diaz-Canel voiced his support for Maduro’s victory.
“The victory of Nicolás Maduro, my brother, the Bolivarian and Chavista parties clearly and unequivocally defeated the pro-imperialist opposition,” he wrote to X. “They also defeated the regionalist, interventionist and Monroe right wing. The people spoke and the revolution won.”
Former President Raul Castro also spoke to Maduro by phone and offered his congratulations, according to Diaz-Canel’s office.
Hermano Nicolas Maduroto Victoria, que es la del pueblo boliviano and chavista, criticizing the unfair position taken against the imperialists. The local people are like ingerencistas and monroistas. El pueblo habroira revolutiona gano.
— Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez (@DiazCanelB) July 29, 2024
Honduras
“I send special congratulations and democratic, socialist and revolutionary greetings to President Nicolás Maduro and the brave people of Venezuela for an indisputable victory that reaffirms their sovereignty and the historical legacy of Commander Hugo Chavez,” President Xiomara Castro shared on her X account.
Bolivia
“We have been closely following this democratic celebration and welcome the respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in their vote. We wish to express our will to continue to strengthen the ties of friendship, cooperation and solidarity with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” President Luis Arce said in a post on X.