委内瑞拉

CIDOB Opinion 808 for July 2024 discusses the contentious results of the Venezuelan presidential elections held on July 28th, 2024, where the incumbent, Nicolas Maduro, was declared the winner with 51.2% of votes against opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia's 44.2%, based on 80% of votes counted. This outcome contradicts previous polls that favored the opposition by a margin of 15-20%.

The elections were marked by irregularities and delays in data transmission, with the government attributing this to a cyber-attack which they failed to substantiate. Despite the official victory, the credibility of the results is questioned due to the lack of transparency, particularly in the absence of detailed election data. The majority of countries in Venezuela's region have expressed skepticism or outright doubt about the results, with many demanding more transparent evidence.

González Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado called for calm while acknowledging they had obtained 73% of electoral acts. However, the election results remain disputed by a significant portion of the international community and the opposition itself. The situation is tense both internally in Venezuela and among international observers, with several countries, including the US, EU, Spain, Portugal, and Germany, calling for access to detailed election data.

The election results have raised concerns over potential electoral fraud, undermining the legitimacy of Maduro's administration. This has limited prospects for a swift political reconciliation in Venezuela. The election outcome confirms the persistence of an authoritarian regime, with no viable alternative option available. The situation highlights the challenges for Venezuela's democratic transition and economic recovery, with the possibility of further regional instability.

In conclusion, the 2024 Venezuelan presidential elections have reinforced an entrenched authoritarian system, with limited prospects for change. The international community's calls for transparency and accountability have yet to result in concrete action, leaving Venezuela in a precarious political and economic situation. The immediate future will likely involve continued opposition efforts to challenge the results and push for greater transparency, alongside increased scrutiny from the international community.