Assessing the Results of Venezuela’s Presidential Election

The United States applauds the Venezuelan people for their participation in the July 28 presidential election despite significant challenges.  At least 12 million Venezuelans peacefully went to the polls and exercised one of the most powerful rights given to people in any democracy:  the right to vote.  Unfortunately, the processing of those votes and the announcement of results by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) were deeply flawed, yielding an announced outcome that does not represent the will of the Venezuelan people.

The CNE’s rapid declaration of Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the presidential election came with no supporting evidence.  The CNE still has not published disaggregated data or any of the vote tally sheets, despite repeated calls from Venezuelans and the international community to do so.  As the independent Carter Center’s observation mission reported, the CNE’s failure to provide the precinct-level official results, as well as irregularities throughout the process, have stripped the CNE’s announced outcome of any credibility.

Meanwhile, the democratic opposition has published more than 80 percent of the tally sheets received directly from polling stations throughout Venezuela.  Those tally sheets indicate that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes in this election by an insurmountable margin.  Independent observers have corroborated these facts, and this outcome was also supported by election day exit polls and quick counts.  In the days since the election, we have consulted widely with partners and allies around the world, and while countries have taken different approaches in responding, none have concluded that Nicolás Maduro received the most votes this election.

Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election.

In addition, the United States rejects Maduro’s unsubstantiated allegations against opposition leaders.  Maduro and his representatives’ threats to arrest opposition leaders, including Edmundo González and María Corina Machado, are an undemocratic attempt to repress political participation and retain power.  The safety and security of the democratic opposition leaders and members must be protected.  All Venezuelans arrested while peacefully exercising their right to participate in the electoral process or demand transparency in the tabulation and announcement of results should be released immediately.  Law enforcement and security forces should not become an instrument of political violence used against citizens exercising their democratic rights.

We congratulate Edmundo González Urrutia on his successful campaign.  Now is the time for the Venezuelan parties to begin discussions on a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law and the wishes of the Venezuelan people.  We fully support the process of re-establishing democratic norms in Venezuela and stand ready to consider ways to bolster it jointly with our international partners.