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The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, had a phone conversation on Friday with the Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado, expressing his concern for their safety.
During the call, Blinken congratulated González Urrutia on receiving the majority of votes in the elections held on July 28 and expressed his concern for the well-being of the opposition leaders, the EFE agency reported.
In a statement, Blinken acknowledged González Urrutia as the winner of the elections, citing the "overwhelming evidence" presented by the opposition.
This statement was made amid a growing political tension in Venezuela, where the National Electoral Council (CNE) ratified Nicolás Maduro as president with 51.95% of the votes, compared to 43.18% for González Urrutia, with 96.87% of the ballot papers counted.
On the same day as Blinken's call, María Corina Machado's party, Vente Venezuela, reported an attack on its headquarters in Caracas. Six armed men stormed the premises, subdued the security guards, and took away equipment and documents.
In a column published in The Wall Street Journal, Machado expressed her fear for her life, stating that she could be captured at any moment.
The Venezuelan opposition published 81% of the election records on a website, claiming that González Urrutia won the presidency by a wide margin.
This complaint of electoral fraud has triggered numerous protests across the country, resulting in at least 12 deaths, including one military officer, and more than 1,200 arrests.
Maduro's government characterized the protests as an attempted coup, urging police and military forces to enhance their control.
The situation in Venezuela remains critical, with the opposition and the government in direct confrontation for control of the country.
Blinken's statements underscore international concern about stability and security in Venezuela, particularly regarding opposition leaders who are facing increasing repression.
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