By AFP and Entorno | 2024-07-29

PARIS/BOGOTA -- Many nations expressed doubts on July 29 about the transparency of Venezuela's election after Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner, while his traditional allies congratulated the longtime leader.

Maduro won re-election with 51.2% of votes, according to the country's electoral council (CNE), which in its majority is loyal to him.

Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia received 44.2%, the CNE reported, but his coalition claimed victory, saying it had garnered 70%.

Here is what world leaders said about the disputed election result.

Latin America's doubts

Peru recalled its ambassador to Caracas because of the "very serious" results announced in Venezuela.

Peruvian Foreign Minister Javier González-Olaechea strongly condemned the official results.

Just minutes after the CNE announced Maduro's reelection, González-Olaechea declared: "I unequivocally condemn the numerous irregularities intended to perpetrate fraud by the Venezuelan government. Peru will not accept the violation of the Venezuelan people's will."

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles issued a strong statement, calling Maduro's proclamation "fraudulent."

In a statement, Chaves Robles said: "The government of Costa Rica categorically repudiates the proclamation of Nicolas Maduro as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which we consider fraudulent."

"Costa Rica will join democratic governments and international organizations to ensure the sacred will of the Venezuelan people is respected."

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo called for an "independent audit" of the result.

Argentine President Javier Milei wrote in a social media post: "DICTATOR MADURO, OUT!!!"

Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed disbelief over the results, calling them "hard to believe." Early morning, Boric stated that Chile will not recognize "any result that is not verifiable."

On his X account, Boric wrote: "The Maduro regime must understand that the results it publishes are hard to believe. The international community and, above all, the Venezuelan people, including the millions in exile, demand total transparency of the proceedings and the process. International observers, independent of the government, must verify the results."

He concluded by reiterating: "From Chile, we will not recognize any result that is not verifiable."

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo de León expressed significant doubts about the Venezuelan election results.

In a message broadcast through his official channels, he stated: "Venezuela deserves transparent, accurate results that reflect the will of its people."

He also emphasized the importance of international observation, saying: "We received the results announced by the CNE ... with many doubts."

Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa has called for a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States to address the "delicate situation" in Venezuela.

He stated, "Throughout the region, politicians are clinging to power and trying to strip peace from our citizens. This is the threat of dictatorship, and we are witnessing another attempt to take hope away from millions of Venezuelans."

US, UK 'concerns'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington had "serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people."

"It's critical that every vote be counted fairly and transparently, that election officials immediately share information with the opposition and independent observers without delay, and that the electoral authorities publish the detailed tabulation of votes," Blinken said in Japan. "The international community is watching this very closely and will respond accordingly."

Britain said it was "concerned" by allegations of "irregularities" in Venezuela's vote count.

"We call for the swift and transparent publication of full, detailed results to ensure that the outcome reflects the votes of the Venezuelan people," the foreign office said in a statement.

Europe seeks 'transparency'

Europe's message was a demand for "transparency" in the voting process.

"The people of Venezuela voted on the future of their country peacefully and in large numbers. Their will must be respected. Ensuring full transparency in the electoral process, including detailed counting of votes and access to voting records at polling stations, is vital," EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said.

"What we want is total transparency in the process," said Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. "And that is why what we are asking for, and what we also expect, is the publication of the results voting table by voting table, so that we can verify the results."

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was "perplexed" by Maduro's win. "We want the results to be verified with access to documents: the results announcing Maduro's victory, does it really mirror the will of the people."

Cheers from autocrats

Dictators cheered on Maduro.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said he spoke with "brother" Maduro "to convey warm congratulations on behalf of the party, the government and the Cuban people for the historic electoral triumph achieved".

Nicaragua, Bolivia and Honduras also congratulated him

Russian President Vladimir Putin said of Maduro, "Remember, you are always welcome on Russian soil."

China congratulated Venezuela for "smoothly holding its presidential election."

"China and Venezuela are good friends and partners who support each other," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

Beijing is Venezuela's main creditor.