Maduro Wins Controversial Third Presidential Term

Nicolás Maduro has been re-elected as Venezuela's president with 51.2% of the votes, according to the National Electoral Council, amidst allegations of fraud and voter intimidation. Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia received 44% of the votes, despite exit polls suggesting a significant lead for Gonzalez. The election was marred by delays in announcing results and claims from the opposition that the electoral process was compromised, as they could only verify results from 30% of voting stations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns that the election results did not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people. Maduro's victory has raised fears of further authoritarianism in a country already grappling with economic turmoil and mass emigration. The opposition, led by figures like Maria Corina Machado, is poised to dispute the results, setting the stage for potential political upheaval.