VenezuelaGeneral elections in Venezuela: CNE declares Maduro President amid transparency concerns
Amidst complaints of irregularities by the opposition and doubts from the international community, with 80% of the votes counted, the National Electoral Council (CNE in Spanish) proclaimed Nicolás Maduro as the elected president of Venezuela for the 2025-2031 term. According to the CNE, Maduro, leader of the Gran Polo Patriótico coalition, secured 51.2% of the valid votes, while Edmundo González, representing the opposition Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD in Spanish), received 44.2%.
The delay in announcing the results and significant discrepancies with the data shared by the opposition on social media have triggered widespread protests, with allegations of potential fraud against the ruling government. This controversy has reached the international stage, with the United States, European Union, and several Latin American countries expressing concerns about the transparency of the vote count and demanding the publication of all electoral records to verify the results in favor of Maduro.
In this context, Nicolás Maduro was proclaimed as president a matter of hours ago by the CNE. As he assumes office, his main challenges will include implementing governance measures to address the deep fragmentation and polarization within Venezuelan society. Additionally, Maduro will need to stabilize an economy that is recovering from a prolonged crisis and navigate the international pressure stemming from the contested electoral victory, which may include the continuation of economic sanctions from abroad.
To achieve these objectives, he will have significant legislative power. The strong majorities held by the Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV in Spanish) and Maduro’s allies in the National Assembly will enable him to advance his agenda with minimal obstacles.
CNE proclaims Maduro’s victory
According to the National Electoral Council, with 80% of the votes counted, there is an irreversible trend: President Nicolás Maduro won with 5,150,092 votes, representing 51.20% of the total. In second place, the candidate of the opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD in Spanish), Edmundo González, obtained 4,445,978 votes, equivalent to 44.20%.
During the proclamation ceremony, Maduro denounced a new “coup attempt against him”, pointing out that “both national and international factors are trying to disregard the reelection”. The opposition led by Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado, on their part, assure that they won the election with a wide advantage and demand the prompt publication of the detailed electoral records by the CNE.
Projections
Pending release of the full results, Nicolás Maduro is currently the elected president. Thus his term for the next 6 years is, to judge on past form, likely to mark a continuity of existing policies, prolonging and possibly deepening the complex economic, social and political situation in Venezuela. Factors such as the economy, migration, international sanctions and human rights will continue to be critical areas to watch during this period.
Regarding relations with other states, it is likely that the United States and European Union countries will maintain or even increase economic and diplomatic sanctions against Maduro’s government (even more so if detailed data from yesterday’s election is not divulged) which to date have affected oil exports and the country’s ability to finance essential imports. Additionally, the country may continue to experience international isolation, with declining foreign investment and reduced international cooperation.
Furthermore, there are fears the Maduro administration will continue pushing for laws and regulations limiting the actions of civil society and weakening the political opposition, such as through additional restrictions on the operations and funding of non-governmental organizations and political parties, as well as greater controls on access to information and freedom of expression.