The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, held a phone conversation this Friday with the Venezuelan opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, and opposition leader María Corina Machado, expressing his concern for the safety of both.
During the call, Blinken congratulated González Urrutia for receiving the majority of votes in the elections held on July 28 and expressed his concern for the well-being of opposition leaders, reported the EFE agency.
In a statement, Blinken recognized González Urrutia as the winner of the elections, based on the "overwhelming evidence" presented by the opposition.
This statement came in the context of rising political tension in Venezuela, where the National Electoral Council (CNE) reaffirmed Nicolás Maduro as president with 51.95% of the votes, against 43.18% for González Urrutia, with 96.87% of the ballots 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 broke into the premises, overpowering the guards and taking 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 electoral records on a website, claiming that González Urrutia won the presidency by a wide margin.
This electoral fraud allegation has sparked numerous protests across the country, resulting in at least 12 deaths, including one military personnel, and more than 1,200 detainees.
The Maduro government labeled the protests as an attempted coup, calling on police and military forces to intensify control.
The situation in Venezuela remains critical, with the opposition and the government in a 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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