US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says “it is clear” that the candidate fielded by the main opposition parties won the Venezuelan presidential election on Sunday.
Blinken released a statement on Thursday assessing the results of the election, which effectively came down to a contest between incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition camp’s unified candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
The election commission of Venezuela said on Monday that Maduro won a third term. The announcement raised doubts among the international community.
Blinken’s statement referred to surveys conducted by the democratic opposition camp and independent observers.
It said, “Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that” Gonzalez “won the most votes” in the election. The statement added that the US congratulates Gonzalez on his successful campaign.
The statement criticized the Maduro administration for its increased repression of opposition members. It said: “Now is the time for the Venezuelan parties to begin discussions on a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law and the wishes of the Venezuelan people. We fully support the process of re-establishing democratic norms in Venezuela.”