Venezuela authorities ratify Maduro’s victory as more nations recognise rival
Venezuela authorities ratify Maduro’s victory as more nations recognise rival
Venezuelan authorities on Friday ratified Nicolas Maduro’s election victory as a growing number of nations recognized his opposition rival as the true winner.
Gripped by anxiety after Sunday’s disputed presidential vote, the oil-rich nation braced for fresh protests as both Maduro and the opposition called for their supporters to demonstrate this weekend.
Maduro has led the oil-rich country since 2013, presiding over a GDP drop of 80 percent that pushed more than seven million of once-wealthy Venezuela’s 30 million citizens to emigrate. Experts blame economic mismanagement and US sanctions for the collapse.
He is accused of locking up critics and harassing opponents in a climate of rising authoritarianism.
On Friday, prominent opposition figure Roland Carreno — a journalist who was previously accused of “terrorism” and imprisoned from 2020-2023 — was arrested in Caracas, his party Popular Will said.
Maduro’s previous reelection, in 2018, was rejected by dozens of Latin American as well as the United States and EU members.
Years of damaging US sanctions have failed to dislodge the president, who enjoys loyalty from the military leadership, electoral bodies, courts and other state institutions, as well as the backing of Russia, China and Cuba.
AFP
