"Controversy and distrust in the Venezuelan elections following Maduro's victory"

The electoral situation in Venezuela continues to generate controversy and distrust, especially after the presidential elections on July 28. Almost six weeks after the electoral day, the opacity in the process has left Venezuelan society and the international community with more questions than answers. Nicolás Maduro, who was declared the winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE) with 52% of the votes, faces accusations of fraud and irregularities that have cast a shadow of skepticism over the legitimacy of his victory. The Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela backed the result proclaimed by the CNE; however, this support has not managed to convince the opposition or many international observers. Opposition leaders, such as María Corina Machado, have claimed that the true winner was Edmundo González Urrutia, the candidate from the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), who, according to the records compiled by the opposition, would have obtained 67% of the votes. These records, which represent more than 83.5% of the polling stations, contradict the official results and reflect a drastically different electoral landscape from what the Chavista regime is trying to promote. The figures are revealing: while Maduro would have received approximately 3.3 million votes, González would have surpassed 7.3 million. This discrepancy has fueled political tensions, and the situation has become even more volatile with the recent arrest warrant issued against González by the government-controlled judiciary. The accusation of "conspiracy" and other crimes highlights the regime's desperation to silence the opposition and maintain control amid a climate of growing discontent. In light of this situation, the Argentine newspaper La Nación has launched the initiative "Open Records," which aims to provide a space for citizen collaboration to analyze and evidence the real results of each polling station. This interactive platform allows citizens to contribute information about voting records that have yet to be published by the CNE, facilitating greater transparency and access to data that the government has kept under lock and key. Participation in the elections was notable, reaching 60%, with around 11 million voters from a registry of 18 million. However, the lack of transparency in the official results has left many citizens feeling disappointed and deceived, intensifying the crisis of trust in electoral institutions. As more data emerges from the analysis of the records, it becomes clear that popular discontent is not limited to the political opposition but extends to a society that is clamoring for answers and for genuine democracy. Data also indicates that González's lead was particularly strong in major urban areas, such as Caracas, where he managed to capture 64% of the votes compared to Maduro's 32%. In the state of Táchira, support for González reached an astonishing 82%, suggesting significant rejection of the regime in regions where Chavismo had traditionally maintained a strong presence. Meanwhile, the international community is closely watching these events, with the United States and the European Union rejecting the election results. The lack of recognition from significant global actors could have serious consequences for the legitimacy of Maduro's government and its ability to govern in a context of isolation. In this scenario, the future of Venezuela remains uncertain. Post-election tensions have led to episodes of violence and repression, posing an even greater challenge for the country and its people. The demands for genuine electoral reform and the reinstatement of democratic mechanisms are increasingly urgent. The Venezuelan electoral situation is not only an issue of internal interest but also affects the region and the world. The international community finds itself at a crossroads, debating how to address the crisis and support genuine change in the country. In this context, the possibility of meaningful and constructive dialogue between the government and the opposition seems distant, while the voices of the people continue to cry out for justice and a more hopeful future.