Venezuela’s top court confirms Maduro’s disputed re-election

Venezuela's Supreme Court declares President Maduro winner of disputed election, sparking international criticism and post-election violence.

Venezuela's Supreme Court, which observers say is loyal to the Government of President Nicolas Maduro, on Thursday (August 23, 2024) declared him the winner of the disputed July 28 election despite opposition claims of widespread vote fraud.

In its ruling, read by presiding Judge Caryslia Rodriguez, the court said it had "indisputably certified election materials and validated the results of the July 28, 2024 presidential election issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE)," naming Mr. Maduro as the winner.

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Minutes later, Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia responded to the ruling by posting an image to social media saying "void."

"The sovereignty of the people is not transferable," he said, accusing the court in a later video message of attempting to "please" Mr. Maduro.

Speaking in the coastal state of La Guaira, Mr. Maduro hailed the Supreme Court's decision as "historic and forceful."

Mr. Maduro had asked the court earlier this month to weigh in on the election, in which he claims to have defeated Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia with 52% of ballots cast, according to the CNE.