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Maduro Declared Winner in Controversial Venezuelan Election Amid Fraud Allegations. Nicolás Maduro has been declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential election with 51% of the vote, as announced by Elvis Amoroso, head of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and a close ally of Maduro, BBC News reports. The opposition, led by Edmundo González, alleges the election results were fraudulent, claiming González secured 70% of the vote, challenging the official count. The opposition cites exit polls and quick counts indicating a significant lead for González, which they argue contradicts the CNE's announcement. International figures, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chilean President Gabriel Boric, have expressed skepticism about the election's transparency and fairness. The election occurs amid a severe economic and political crisis, with over 7.8 million Venezuelans having fled the country in the past decade. Many Venezuelans expressed a desire for change after 25 years of socialist rule under Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chávez. The opposition reported that their representatives were obstructed from fully observing the vote count, raising concerns about potential electoral misconduct. Maduro celebrated the official results, describing them as a victory for peace and stability, and dismissing the opposition's fraud allegations. While some international leaders questioned the legitimacy of the election, Maduro's allies, including Cuba, praised his victory. The election's outcome may influence Venezuela's international alliances, with Maduro expected to strengthen ties with China, Iran, and Russia amidst ongoing U.S. sanctions.
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