2024-07-30 06:08:40
Polling stations in Venezuela began closing at 6:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. Central Mexico time), although those with voters in line will remain open until everyone has voted. The National Electoral Council (CNE), perceived as aligned with the ruling partyhas not yet made any announcements regarding the final closure of voting.
President Nicolas Maduro, 61, in office since 2013 after being anointed by socialist leader Hugo Chavez before his death, He faces Edmundo González Urrutia, 74 years old, in these electionsGonzález represents the opposition united under the Unitary Platform and the charismatic leader María Corina Machado, who was unable to run due to political disqualification.
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“We are seeing a tremendous participation and I feel very proud.“We are making a dream and a fight for freedom come true,” Machado told reporters after voting in Caracas.
After the polls closed, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, son of the current president, expressed his optimism about the election results in a message.The ballot boxes express what the streets have already said during all these months of campaigning. “Victory of the Venezuelan people, happy birthday Commander Chavez!” he exclaimed, suggesting a favorable victory and evoking the figure of Hugo Chavez, who would have turned 70 today.
For its part, Edmundo González Urrutia congratulated Venezuelans for what he described as a historic day. “We want to congratulate Venezuelans for the historic day we have celebrated today. We have had a massive participation that has not been seen in many years,” González said on X.
She also called on the table witnesses to remain in the voting centers until they receive the corresponding minutes, as stipulated in article 337 and page 17 of the electoral table manual, as did María Corina Machado who called “To all witnesses: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE THE RECORD.”
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The atmosphere in Venezuela is one of high expectation as the official results are awaited. Edison Research’s projections indicate a possible crushing victory for Gonzalez with 65% of the votes compared to Maduro’s 31%. However, the lack of an official announcement from the CNE has kept the population and the international community, which is closely following the development of these elections, in suspense.
In this context, the vice president of the United States and virtual Democratic candidate for the presidency, KAmala Harris expressed her support for the Venezuelan peoplehighlighting the importance of “respecting the popular will” and underlining “the United States’ commitment to a more democratic and prosperous future for Venezuela.”
As the counting continues and the statements of both candidates spread, Venezuelans and the few observers wait. with anxiety the outcome of an election that could mean a momentous change in the political history of the South American country.
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2024-07-30 06:08:40