US recognizes opposition

The United States has officially recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González as the rightful winner of the contested July 28 presidential election, countering the National Electoral Council's declaration of President Nicolás Maduro as the victor. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that overwhelming evidence supports González's claim, and urged for the protection of opposition leaders amidst Maduro's threats. Diplomatic efforts involving Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico are underway to persuade Maduro to release the election vote tallies to ensure transparency and quell doubts about the election outcome. González and opposition leader María Corina Machado claim they secured more than two-thirds of the vote tallies, while independent polls suggested significant support for González over Maduro. The U.S. hinted at potential punitive actions while reaffirming its commitment to restoring democratic norms in Venezuela. The situation has led to widespread protests from the opposition and calls for an independent review of the election results.