'Maduro Lost': U.S. Recognizes González As Winner Of Venezuelan Presidential Election, Calls For Talks, Transition

The United States said on Thursday it concluded that Edmundo González defeated President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s presidential election, and called for negotiations to ensure a peaceful transition of power, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela's July 28 presidential election," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a Thursday night statement.

Venezuela's government-backed National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of Sunday's highly anticipated election, but the president's main challenger, González, and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado have said they obtained more than two-thirds of the tally sheets that each electronic voting machine printed after polls closed.

Blinken in a statement made it clear that the U.S. rejects Maduro’s unsubstantiated allegations against opposition leaders. "Maduro and his representatives’ threats to arrest opposition leaders, including Edmundo González and María Corina Machado, are an undemocratic attempt to repress political participation and retain power," he noted.

"The safety and security of the democratic opposition leaders and members must be protected.  All Venezuelans arrested while peacefully exercising their right to participate in the electoral process or demand transparency in the tabulation and announcement of results should be released immediately.  Law enforcement and security forces should not become an instrument of political violence used against citizens exercising their democratic rights," Blinken added.

He went on to conclude: "We congratulate Edmundo González Urrutia on his successful campaign.  Now is the time for the Venezuelan parties to begin discussions on a respectful, peaceful transition in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law and the wishes of the Venezuelan people.  We fully support the process of re-establishing democratic norms in Venezuela and stand ready to consider ways to bolster it jointly with our international partners."