Venezuela Opposition Claims Election Victory Amid Controversy

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claimed the opposition has secured 73.2% of the vote tallies from Sunday's election, contradicting President Nicolas Maduro's victory claim. Protests erupted across the nation, and international governments have called for a recount. Independent polls suggested an opposition landslide victory.

CARACAS/MARACAIBO/MARACAY, Venezuela, July 29 (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced Monday that the opposition has secured 73.2% of the vote tallies from Sunday's election, which they argue confirms an opposition victory.

Separately, an opposition adviser, currently seeking asylum in the Argentine embassy due to arrest warrants, reported on social media that security forces were attempting to enter the embassy.

'Right now, DAET officials are trying to storm the residence of Argentina's embassy in Caracas where the six asylum seekers from Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez's campaign are,' wrote Pedro Urruchurtu on X. Protests erupted across Venezuela as President Nicolas Maduro declared victory despite allegations of electoral fraud.

As afternoon crowds gathered in urban locations and outside the national electoral authority (CNE) offices, the CNE announced just past midnight that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of the vote, further extending socialist rule. Maduro was proclaimed president for 2025 to 2031, with CNE emphasizing his majority of valid votes.

The international community, including the U.S., expressed doubts about the results and urged for a complete vote tabulation. Independent exit polls indicated a landslide opposition victory, bolstered by significant campaign support for candidate Gonzalez and Machado. Both leaders stated that the opposition's triumph is irreversible.