The Secretary of the United States, Antony J. Blinken has issued a statement that challenges Venezuela’s official election results, declaring opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as winner of the July 28 presidential election.
According Blinken’s statement, the National Electoral Council’s declaration of Maduro’s victory is “deeply flawed”.
Blinken cited opposition-published tally sheets from over 80% of polling stations, indicating González won by an “insurmountable margin,” corroborated by independent observers and exit polls.
The statement reads in part, “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 irectly from polling stations throughout Venezuela. Those tally sheets indicate that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes in this election by an insurmountable margin.
“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,”Blinken stated.
He further applauded the 12 million Venezuelans who voted despite challenges and rejects Maduro’s allegations against opposition leaders.
Blinken further called for the release of those arrested for peaceful participation and urges a peaceful transition.
