OAS demands publication of election results amid crisis in Venezuela.

In a context of growing political and social tension in Venezuela, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) approved a resolution last Friday demanding that the government of Nicolás Maduro publish the results of the presidential elections held on July 28. This decision, adopted by consensus among the 26 delegations present at the extraordinary meeting in Washington, highlights international concern over the lack of transparency in the Venezuelan electoral process. The resolution explicitly requests that Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) "promptly publish the records with the voting results of the presidential elections at each polling station." Furthermore, it calls for the possibility of conducting an "impartial verification" of these results, a crucial aspect that has been a subject of controversy since Maduro was declared the victor over opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. The international community, including the United States and several countries in the region, maintains that González Urrutia was the true winner of the elections, which has intensified internal tensions in the country. Reports of irregularities and violence during the electoral process have prompted the OAS to express its concern. The resolution not only addresses the issue of electoral records but also urges the Venezuelan government to respect the right of citizens to assemble peacefully, without fear of reprisals, arrests, or arbitrary detentions. This call for the protection of human rights is a recurring theme in discussions about the situation in Venezuela, where the repression of dissent has been extensively documented. Support for this resolution is not limited to the OAS. Prior to the meeting, the European Union and 22 countries signed a joint statement calling for the same "impartial verification" of electoral results. This indicates a growing consensus among the international community on the need to address the crisis in Venezuela with an approach that prioritizes transparency and respect for human rights. The electoral crisis has had a significant human cost. The protests that erupted following the announcement of results have resulted in a tragic toll of at least 25 dead and more than 2,400 arrests. These events underscore the severity of the situation in the country and the urgency for an effective response from the international community. It is worth noting that in a previous meeting held on July 31, the Permanent Council of the OAS had attempted to address the lack of transparency in the electoral process, but the proposal was rejected due to a lack of majority support from the 34 member countries. This initial failure highlights the challenges the OAS faces in achieving consensus on such delicate issues as the Venezuelan situation. The support for the current resolution, presented by the United States and co-sponsored by several Latin American countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, is seen as a key step to strengthen pressure on Maduro's government. These types of initiatives reflect the increasing concern for the democratic future of Venezuela and the desire to prevent the crisis from deepening further. Despite the tensions, the approval of this resolution by the OAS could mark a turning point in the international response to Venezuela. However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on the willingness of the Venezuelan government to accept external pressure and, more importantly, to guarantee a transparent and fair electoral process in the future. The situation in Venezuela is a clear reminder of the fragility of democracies in the region and the importance of international vigilance in defending human rights. As the crisis persists, the international community must continue to seek ways to support the Venezuelan people in their struggle for democracy and social justice, as the future of the country hangs in the balance.