The United States demands that Maduro recognize González Urrutia's victory in the elections.

In a recent statement resonating in the international arena, the United States has urged Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to acknowledge that Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate, received the majority of votes in the elections held on July 28. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre was clear in her message: “It is clear that Edmundo has the majority of the votes. And Maduro must recognize it.” This assertion comes in the context of growing political and social tension in Venezuela, where the legitimacy of the electoral results has been the subject of intense debate. Maduro's reelection, proclaimed by the National Electoral Council (CNE), has been questioned by both the opposition and various nations in the international community. In this regard, the reaction from the Joe Biden administration not only underscores the distrust towards the electoral process but also reflects a commitment from the United States to seek ways to incentivize and pressure Maduro to accept the reality of the results. The atmosphere of discontent in Venezuela has been palpable, with protests resulting in the deaths of at least 25 people and over 2,400 arrests, according to official figures. This situation has led countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico to seek a mediating role in the crisis, attempting to promote dialogue that allows for a peaceful resolution to the country's tumultuous situation. The preliminary report from a UN panel of experts has added fuel to the fire of controversy. This document concluded that the elections lacked “basic measures of transparency and integrity,” reinforcing the opposition's stance on González Urrutia's victory. Juan Pablo Guanipa, a former deputy and prominent figure in the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), highlighted that the records reviewed by the UN show that González Urrutia was the true winner, despite the official proclamation from the CNE. On the other hand, Henrique Capriles, a two-time presidential candidate, also echoed the UN report, reaffirming that Maduro lost the election and criticizing the lack of transparency in the CNE's presentation of results. This absence of clear and detailed data from the electoral authority has been described as an unprecedented fact in the recent history of democratic elections. Amid this political storm, the CNE has disqualified the UN report, calling it “pamphleteering” and suggesting that its dissemination has political motives. Despite Maduro's administration's accusations against the UN experts, international pressure seems to be increasing, placing the Venezuelan administration at a crossroads. The rhetoric from Maduro's government has included disqualifications of the UN panel, accusing them of being “false experts” and spreading lies. This defensive approach suggests an attempt to divert attention from the growing doubts regarding the legitimacy of his mandate and the conditions under which the elections were held. Despite Maduro and his administration's resistance, the increasing external pressure, combined with internal discontent, could be creating fertile ground for significant change in Venezuela's political landscape. The international community, led by the United States and supported by nations in the region, is closely monitoring events, putting Maduro in a complicated position. The future of Venezuela hangs by a thread, and Maduro's ability to manage this crisis and acknowledge the reality of the electoral results will be crucial for the country's stability. Meanwhile, the opposition, led by figures like González Urrutia, is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on this situation, marking a decisive moment in the long struggle for democracy in Venezuela.