Leaders in the US and Latin America are calling for a “complete review” of the election in Venezuela after President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner. The Organization of American States released a report on Tuesday saying information it had gathered from four different sources shows the results of the vote on Sunday “cannot be recognized.”
Electoral officials announced Maduro had won the race with 51 percent of the vote. However, the numbers compiled by the OAS found the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won with more than 60 percent. It said the evidence demonstrates an attempt by the regime to “disregard” the will of millions of Venezuelans.
Demonstrators across the country have hit the streets in protest. One non-governmental organization said at least six people have died and more than 130 have been arrested.
Protestors say they want political change and that Venezuela must find a way for elections to be “respected.” Others said the only “weapons” they have are their “tongues.”
Chinese and Russian leaders have congratulated Maduro, adding that Venezuela should be free of “external interference.”