In brief
In a contested election marked by low participation and boycotts from opposition figures, Venezuela's electoral authority declared a sweeping victory for President Nicolás Maduro's party. Shortly after the closure of polls in Caracas and beyond, officials claimed that turnout exceeded 40%, a figure met with skepticism given the sparse attendance at polling sites. Opposition leader María Corina Machado had urged her followers to abstain from voting, citing ongoing political repression. The announcement further consolidates Maduro’s control, stripping the opposition of several crucial governorships, including Zulia, the nation's most populous state. Notably, these election results come on the heels of a presidential election marred by controversy, where Maduro was found to have lost based on independent estimates.
