‘Consolidation of Fraud’

Listen to Today's Edition:

Venezuela’s Supreme Court declared incumbent President Nicolás Maduro the winner of the July 28 presidential elections, despite the opposition’s claims of fraud and criticism about the court’s impartiality, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The court’s verdict came nearly a month after the country’s election commission said Maduro secured a third term, defeating opposition candidate Edmundo González.

The opposition has cried foul and called for the release of voting data. Mass demonstrations erupted over Maduro’s victory, prompting authorities to launch a crackdown that has killed more than 20 people and led to the detention of at least 2,000 others.

Maduro called on the court to verify the results amid domestic and international criticism.

Despite threats and arrests, the opposition effectively collected voting tally sheets from 80 percent of polling stations, showing Maduro won about 30 percent of the vote compared with González, who won 67 percent.

These tally sheets were marked with QR codes and are difficult to forge, observers told the Associated Press.

But in its ruling, the high court – packed with government loyalists – countered that the tally sheets published online by the opposition were forged.

The verdict is seen as an attempt to legitimize Maduro’s leadership, as well as solidify support within his coalition and prevent defections.

The court’s decision received criticism from the United States and the United Nations over the tribunal’s lack of impartiality. Left-wing Chilean President Gabriel Boric condemned the court’s decision, calling it a “consolidation of fraud.” He urged other leftist governments to confront Maduro.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Brazil and Mexico are attempting to mediate the dispute and have urged Maduro to present physical evidence of his victory.

Following the verdict, the Venezuelan government continued its crackdown on the opposition as officials ordered González to testify in a probe regarding claims that his campaign spread panic by disputing the election results.

Both González and María Corina Machado, another opposition leader, have gone into hiding due to threats of arrest.