The Venezuelan opposition dismissed the CNE’s announcement as fraudulent and promised to challenge the result.
Over the past 10 years, 7.8 million people have fled Venezuela because of the economic and political crisis into which the country was plunged under the Maduro Administration.
Polls conducted in the run-up to the election suggest that exodus could now increase, with one poll suggesting a third of the population would emigrate.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was among those expressing his scepticism after the result was announced by the National Electoral Council, a body which is dominated by government loyalists.
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The UK Foreign Office also expressed concern over the results
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The Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, also said he found the result “hard to believe”.
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Uruguay’s president said of the Maduro government: “They were going to ‘win’ regardless of the actual results.”
In a congratulatory message, President Vladimir Putin told Mr Maduro: “Remember, you are always a welcome guest on Russian soil.”
No chance since Chavez took power. My wife was part of Amnesty International cou ti g bodies during his first couple attemp, before he was released from jail and won his first election.
And thats why you don’t vote for populist dictator wannabes, because this is what you get.