"TSJ ratifies Maduro as the winner and sparks opposition rejection in Venezuela."

The recent decision by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela, which has reaffirmed Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the presidential elections held on July 28, has unleashed a wave of reactions in the country, especially from the opposition. Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate, has emphasized through social media that "sovereignty resides inalienably in the people," thus recalling Article 5 of the Venezuelan Constitution. This statement is set against a backdrop of growing distrust towards state agencies, which many see as instruments of a regime seeking to consolidate its control. The TSJ ruling, announced by its president Caryslia Rodríguez, is based on an expert assessment requested by Maduro to validate the results issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE). However, the opposition has quickly responded with rejection, arguing that González Urrutia was the most voted candidate. They assert that the official result placing Maduro at 52% of the votes is a fraud that ignores the will of the Venezuelan people, expressed at the polls. The controversy intensifies when considering that the opposition has published 80% of the voting records to which their witnesses had access, showing a clear victory for González Urrutia. This fact has led to questions not only about the legitimacy of the electoral process but also about the independence of the CNE and the TSJ itself, institutions that are under scrutiny by the international community. Dissatisfaction has transcended Venezuela's borders. Several nations have expressed concern about the electoral process. The United States, along with the European Union and a group of 22 countries, have demanded that Venezuelan authorities publish the electoral records, which have not yet been made available to the public. This lack of transparency has fueled the perception that Maduro's regime clings to power through manipulations and questionable tactics. The government's response to these protests has been forceful. Following the announcement of the results, demonstrations erupted in various cities across the country, leading to an increase in arrests, with numbers exceeding 1,500 people, according to the NGO Foro Penal. Among those detained are adolescents and people with disabilities, a fact that has drawn condemnation both nationally and internationally. The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission, which has been monitoring the situation in Venezuela, warned about the lack of independence and impartiality of the institutions involved in the electoral process. This situation has resonated in the discourse of regional leaders like Gustavo Petro of Colombia and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, who have even suggested the possibility of repeating the elections as a way to resolve the escalating political crisis in the country. In a scenario where Maduro's legitimacy is in question, the decisions of the TSJ and the CNE are perceived as desperate attempts by the regime to consolidate its power. The opposition, for its part, is using all available resources to demand electoral truth and restore trust in democratic institutions. Maduro, for his part, has responded to the protests by labeling the demonstrators as "terrorists" and "criminals," announcing the activation of "maximum security" prisons for those who dare to challenge his government. This aggressive rhetoric generates an atmosphere of tension that could lead to even more serious confrontations between the government and the citizenry. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan people remain trapped in a cycle of political uncertainty and repression. The lack of constructive dialogue and the regime's refusal to acknowledge popular demands fuel discontent that could have long-term repercussions. The elections have not only tested the validity of the democratic system in Venezuela but have also highlighted the deep social and economic crisis facing the country. The struggle for truth and a better future seems far from over.