Juan Carlos Delpino, a member of the National Electoral Council in Venezuela, recently spoke out against the lack of transparency in the election results that declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner. Delpino detailed several alleged irregularities that occurred before and during the July 28 election, including slow reporting of results from voting machines and the banishment of opposition volunteers. He expressed regret that the election results have not helped promote national unity or resolve differences, fueling doubts among Venezuelans and the international community.
Despite the opposition’s claims that their candidate, Edmundo González, won by a significant margin based on online tallies from polling machines, the Maduro government has maintained that he won reelection by over 1 million votes. Maduro has refused to release voting records to substantiate his claims, leading to further distrust and tensions. The Venezuelan Supreme Court has certified the results and accused the opposition of forging tallies in an attempt to spread panic, triggering a criminal investigation against González.
González has refused to comply with the order to testify, asserting that his due process rights and the constitution are being violated. He and his supporter, María Corina Machado, have gone into hiding as security forces crack down on dissent and protests throughout the country. They have asked Venezuelans to take to the streets to commemorate their purported victory and demand the release of voting records for independent verification by international experts. The situation has created uncertainty and unease in the country.
Mothers of individuals arrested by security forces in the aftermath of the election have gathered outside a high-security prison to protest, claiming their loved ones were arrested unjustly far from any demonstrations. Many have been detained without justification, causing anguish for their families. Delpino, who also went into hiding, pointed out irregular decisions made by the CNE before the election that impacted the participation of campaign poll workers, international observers, and Venezuelan expatriates. The lack of meetings made it difficult to set clear rules for the electoral process.
The situation in Venezuela remains tense as Maduro’s government faces international scrutiny and domestic unrest over the disputed election results. Despite calls for transparency and accountability, the government continues to deny opposition claims of victory and refuses to release voting records for verification. With opposition leaders in hiding and thousands of individuals arrested, the country is grappling with a deepening political crisis that shows no signs of resolution. As Venezuelans continue to demand democracy and transparency, the future remains uncertain.
