Venezuela is facing a new electoral fraud that exacerbates the country's democratic crisis.

Last Sunday, Venezuela once again became the stage for an electoral farce that has left the citizenry more disillusioned than ever. In what many consider a new chapter in the country’s democratic collapse, Nicolás Maduro's regime proclaimed its victory in an election that lacked the necessary transparency and was marked by a series of irregularities. While the world watched with skepticism, the Chavista machinery was deployed in full force, confirming that respect for the popular will remains an illusion in the South American nation. Prior to the elections, the regime focused on discrediting opposition leaders, particularly targeting María Corina Machado, who had garnered significant support in the opposition primaries. Despite these obstacles, Machado did not stand idle and channeled her backing towards Edmundo González Urrutia, a relatively unknown academic in politics, who, according to polls, appeared to be the true contender for the presidency. However, Chavismo prepared for a fierce defense of its mandate, using all resources at its disposal. During the campaign, state control over the media and social assistance programs was evident, as they were used to favor Maduro’s image and delegitimize his opponent. Meanwhile, threats and reprisals fell upon Machado's collaborators. The regime's refusal to allow effective international observation, as well as the obstruction of voting from abroad, highlights the fear that Chavismo feels in the face of a possible defeat. On election day, the National Electoral Council (CNE), under the direction of Elvis Amoroso, a close ally of Maduro, declared him the winner with 51.2% of the votes. However, this result was quickly questioned by numerous governments in Latin America and international organizations, which demanded transparency and access to the voting records. Reports from pre-election polls, which gave González Urrutia a lead of between 20 and 30 points, echoed the disbelief surrounding the CNE’s proclamation. The opposition reported that they were only allowed access to 40% of the voting records, raising serious doubts about the validity of the results. Although the law stipulates that representatives of the candidates must have access to all records, many were forcibly removed from polling centers by law enforcement. This lack of access to critical information needed to verify the electoral process is a clear indication of the regime's intentions. Accusations of a supposed hacking that allegedly affected the electoral system, without concrete evidence, only serve to obscure the reality of a shadowy process that disrespects the will of the citizens. In the 40% of the records that the opposition managed to collect, González Urrutia would have won with 70% of the votes, which starkly contrasts with the numbers that the regime has presented to the world. As the CNE rushed to declare Maduro the winner, protests began to emerge in several cities across the country. The population, tired of being ignored and manipulated, started to raise their voices against what they consider a new theft of democracy. The regime's desperation to maintain its narrative manifests in actions that only fuel widespread distrust and discontent. In an ironic twist, some politicians in Peru, such as Kelly Portalatino and Flavio Cruz, hastily endorsed the CNE's results, while others, like Verónika Mendoza, chose silence, displaying a double standard that does not go unnoticed. The support of certain political sectors for a regime that has abused its power resonates in the context of a continent that has fought for democracy. The international community faces a critical responsibility: to ensure that Chavismo does not get away with this new electoral fraud. The will of the Venezuelan people must be respected, and efforts to validate a fraudulent election will only serve to perpetuate the suffering of a nation that cries out for justice. Venezuelans deserve more than the mockery of a regime that clings to power at the cost of their dignity and future. The struggle for democracy in Venezuela is far from over; on the contrary, it is more alive than ever.