The European Union regards ensuring full transparency of Venezuela’s electoral process as essential, following Sunday’s vote that led to Nicolás Maduro’s third term as president.
The bloc’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated that the Venezuelan people voted peacefully and in large numbers, and that their will must be respected.
However, the EU leader also urged the Chavista government to uphold transparency, noting that Maduro’s controversial victory extends his grip on power for more than three decades. He emphasized the need for complete openness in the electoral process, including a detailed vote tally and access to ballot papers from each polling center.
The message from Borrell stands in contrast to remarks from the United States. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed serious concerns that the announced results may not reflect the true wishes of the Venezuelan people, adding that the international community is watching closely and will act as appropriate.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric also expressed skepticism about the Maduro victory. He urged the Maduro regime to recognize that the results published are difficult to accept and called for international observers not aligned with the government to verify the results. Boric added that Chile will not recognize any outcome that cannot be verified, highlighting the need for credible documentation of ballots and processes.
According to Venezuela’s electoral authority, Maduro reportedly secured 51.2 percent of the votes. The opposition, led by Edmundo González Urrutia, indicated it would not immediately accept the official verdict, signaling potential further turmoil in Venezuela’s political saga.