Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which many observers assert operates under the influence and loyalty of the government headed by President Nicolas Maduro, announced on Thursday that it has officially declared him the winner of the highly disputed presidential election that took place on July 28. This decision comes amid persistent claims from opposition groups regarding widespread vote fraud that allegedly marred the electoral process.
In the formal ruling delivered by presiding judge Caryslia Rodriguez, the court stated that it had “indisputably certified election materials and validates the results of the July 28, 2024 presidential election issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE),” unequivocally naming Maduro as the victor of the contest. Minutes after the ruling was announced, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia took to social media platform X, where he wrote a single word—“void”—indicating his rejection of the court’s declaration.
He followed that up with a statement declaring that “the sovereignty of the people is not transferable,” emphasizing the principle that the voice and choice of the citizens should not be disregarded or annulled by any ruling.
Earlier in the month, Maduro himself had urged the court to intervene and provide clarity on the election’s outcome, claiming to have secured a majority with 52 percent of the votes cast, as reported by the CNE. However, the National Electoral Council did not furnish a precinct-level breakdown of the electoral results, stating that it had fallen victim to a significant cyberattack. In its announcement on Thursday, the Supreme Court echoed these claims, indicating that there was “evidence of a massive cyber attack against the electoral system,” further complicating the situation.
Many observers express skepticism regarding the alleged cyber hack, believing it to be a convenient excuse for the government to avoid providing comprehensive and transparent vote results. On the other hand, the opposition maintains that its own calculations, based on polling station-level results, indicate that Gonzalez Urrutia, who is 74 years old, had actually won a resounding majority of votes, reportedly over two-thirds.
In a pointed message directed at the judges of the court, Gonzalez Urrutia stated, “To the court’s judges: no decision will replace the will of the people. The country and the world know about your bias and, as a result, your inability to resolve this conflict.” He underscored his belief that the ruling would serve to exacerbate the ongoing crisis rather than mitigate it, expressing his discontent with the court’s perceived partiality.
Rodriguez had previously declared earlier this month that the court’s ruling would be “final,” signaling an end to potential appeals or further legal maneuvers regarding the election results.
In related developments, the violence that followed the controversial election has escalated significantly, with Venezuela’s attorney general reporting that the number of people killed in post-election violence has now risen to 27. Alongside these fatalities, more than 190 individuals have sustained injuries, and a staggering 2,400 people have been arrested amidst the unrest and protests linked to the election results and ongoing political turmoil.
