Opposition candidate won Venezuela's election -US

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela lost the popular vote in last week's election, according to the United States, even though a prominent opposition figure claimed she was hiding for fear for her life. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying, "Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela's July 28 presidential election."

Furthermore, the US denies Maduro's unverified accusations made against opposition figures. Blinken continued, "The threats made by Maduro and his delegates to detain opposition leaders—such as Edmundo González and María Corina Machado—are an undemocratic attempt to suppress political participation and hold onto power."

As the electoral board of Venezuela, which is filled with supporters of the regime, declared Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote, protests erupted throughout the nation. Venezuela's faltering democracy and prospects of rebuilding its devastated economy were at stake in what was considered to be the most important election in years. Given the catastrophic collapse of Venezuela's economy and the brutal persecution that has occurred under Maduro's leadership, a large number of youthful opposition supporters declared that they would flee the nation if he was re-elected.

A member of Maduro's closest circle, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, demanded on Tuesday that opposition leader Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez be taken into custody. Later, the nation's Public Ministry made it clear that neither opposition leader had an arrest warrant out for them. Prior to the election, an electrified opposition movement that transcended party lines to unite around Gonzalez was enjoying high polling numbers.

It was perceived as the most difficult test in a quarter of a century for the ruling elite.

Campaign spokesperson for Machado informed newsmen that she is presently "sheltered."

In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that was released recently, Machado stated, "I am writing this from hiding, fearing for my life, my freedom." I might be apprehended while penning these lines.

Even though Maduro had promised free and fair elections, there have been accusations of foul play throughout the process, leading to the arrest of opposition figures, the ban of their main leader Machado from running, the alleged denial of access to the centralized vote count for opposition witnesses, and a significant barrier to voting for Venezuelans living abroad. The opposition in Venezuela and a number of leaders in Latin America have declined to acknowledge Maduro's win.

The US was one of many nations urging Venezuelan electoral authorities to release comprehensive election results.

Machado claims to be able to prove Maduro's defeat. She said in the Wall Street Journal, "He lost in a landslide to Edmundo González, 67% to 30%." "I can substantiate this, so I know it to be true," she asserted. She declared, claiming to have knowledge that Maduro's regime "was going to cheat," writing, "I have receipts obtained directly from more than 80% of the nation's polling stations."