US Secretary of State, Antony Blinkenheld a telephone conversation on Friday with the Venezuelan opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutiaand the opposition leader Maria Corina Machadoexpressing concern for the safety of both.
During the call, Blinken congratulated González Urrutia for having received the majority of votes in the elections of July 28 and expressed his concern for the well-being of opposition leaders, the agency said. EFE..
It’s a statement, Blinken recognized González Urrutia as the winner of the electionsbased on “overwhelming evidence” presented by the opposition.
This statement came in a context of growing political tension in Venezuela, where The National Electoral Council (CNE) ratified Nicolás Maduro as president with 51.95% of the votes, compared to 43.18% for González Urrutia, with 96.87% of the votes counted.
On the same day as Blinken’s call, María Corina Machado’s party, Vente Venezuela, reported an attack on its headquarters in Caracas. Six armed men stormed the premises, subduing the guards and taking equipment and documents.
In a column published in The Wall Street Journal, Machado expressed his fear for his lifestating that she could be captured at any moment.
The Venezuelan opposition published on a website 81% of the electoral recordsclaiming that González Urrutia won the presidency by a wide margin.
This allegation of electoral fraud has triggered Numerous protests across the countryresulting in at least 12 deaths, including one soldier, and more than 1,200 arrests.
Maduro’s government has called the protests an attempted coup, calling on police and military forces to step up control.
The situation in Venezuela remains critical, with the opposition and the government in direct confrontation for control of the country.
Blinken’s remarks underscore international concerns about stability and security in Venezuela, especially around opposition leaders who face increasing repression.
