The USA has recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the disputed presidential election in Venezuela. The government-loyal election authority has not published the results, which the G7 foreign ministers are demanding.
The independent US organization Carter Center described the vote as undemocratic. Maduro has requested an investigation of the election by the Supreme Court, which is considered loyal to the government.
According to Maduro, 1200 'criminals' have been arrested so far after demonstrations, and at least eleven people have been killed. Opposition leader María Corina Machado is hiding for fear of her life, and former parliamentary president Juan Guaidó was unable to prevail in 2018. The US, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico demand Venezuela release detailed election data and allow independent verification; Maduro's government faces growing pressure to prove the legitimacy of his victory.
Maduro's previous 2018 reelection was rejected, but he enjoys backing from Russia, China, and Cuba. Protests and crackdowns have followed, with at least 17 deaths reported by Foro Penal and 750 arrests by the Attorney General.
The opposition leader María Corina Machado is hiding for fear of her life and has called for a national march on Saturday.
