With 80% of the votes counted, “the outgoing president, Nicolas Maduroobtained 5,150,092 votes, or 51.2%, while his direct opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, 4,445,978, or 44.02%. This was announced by the National Electoral Council, six hours after the closing of the polls. The turnout was 59%. The CNE also denounced “an attack on the system that caused delays”.
“They didn’t succeed with sanctions, with aggression, with threats. They didn’t succeed now and they will never succeed with the dignity of the Venezuelan people. Fascism in Venezuela, the land of Bolivar and Chavez, will not pass.” These are the first words of President Nicolas Maduro, who is celebrating with thousands of supporters who gathered in front of the Miraflores Palace. “Chavez lives. Chavez, this triumph is yours,” he added, recalling that yesterday, on election day, was his seventieth birthday. “We suffered a massive hacker attack at the center of the Electoral Council. We know who did it. They did it because they wanted to prevent the people of Venezuela from having their official result. In order to shout out what they had prepared, ‘shout fraud’. Ugly people, ugly people, the beautiful people are here with me”. This was said by President Nicolas Maduro, in his first speech after the victory. “We have already seen this film” with Capriles, there were deaths because of them – he emphasized -. We will not allow them to unleash violence. The voice of peace has prevailed. Do not let yourselves be attracted by violence”.
Opposition Does Not Recognize Maduro’s Re-election
Maria Corina Machadoleader of the Venezuelan opposition, does not recognize the official outcome of the vote that confirms the Bolivarian Chavista Nicolas Maduro for a new mandate and says that the “new elected president” is Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
The opposition coalition claims to have won 70% of the vote, not 44% as reported by the electoral commission.
“We want to tell all of Venezuela and the world that Venezuela has a new elected president and it is (candidate) Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia,” Machado told reporters, adding: “We have won.”