Nicola Maduro has secured his third term as president of Venezuela after winning the presidential election.
The Venezuelan electoral body reports that Maduro won 51% of the votes in the election held on Sunday, July 28.
Despite exit polls indicating an opposition victory due to allegations of wrongdoing by the Maduro administration, the official result showed Maduro’s victory.
The opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, was initially projected to win the election but ultimately received only 44% of the vote.
The Venezuelan president described his win as a success for peace and stability. He also plans to hold a national dialogue to this effect.
Criticism has emerged from the opposition, claiming that the National Electoral Council favoured the government rather than acting as an impartial body.
The opposition had previously expressed that voters were seeking change.
Edmundo Gonzalez said in a post on X just before the results were announced, “The results cannot be hidden. The country has peacefully chosen a change.”