Incumbent Nicolás Maduro has won the presidential election in Venezuela, according to the electoral authority.
The authority's head, Elvis Amoroso, announced on Monday night (local time) that with 80 percent of the votes counted, Maduro had received 51.2 percent of the vote.
Maduro's main opponent, Edmundo González Urrutia, garnered 44.2 percent.
According to Kurier, Amoroso declared the result "irreversible."
Despite the official results, several exit polls had indicated a possible win for González. The opposition initially said they had "reason to celebrate."
González expressed optimism before the official results, saying on social media platform X, "The results cannot be kept secret. The country has peacefully decided for change."
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado also urged the military to recognize the election results, emphasizing, "The Venezuelan people have spoken: they do not want Maduro. It is time to put yourself on the right side of history. You have a chance, and it is now."
Concerns About Irregularities
The opposition raised concerns about potential problems during the election process. They called on their election observers to stay at polling stations until the vote count was complete.
Delsa Solorzano, the opposition's main observer, was reportedly barred from entering the electoral authority building.
This election marks Maduro's third term in office.
His previous re-election in 2018 was not recognized internationally, leading to widespread criticism and sanctions. The current result, declared "irreversible" by electoral chief Amoroso, continues to spark debates about the legitimacy and future of Venezuela's leadership.
