Foul Play

Venezuela’s Maduro Holds On to Power in Discredited Election

U.S. refuses to recognize result.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has won another six-year term in an election that has been overshadowed by an opposition boycott and claims of widespread vote-rigging. Just 46 percent of the electorate turned out to vote, significantly less than the 80 percent registered at the last presidential vote in 2013. Government officials said the polls were “free and fair,” but most of the opposition joined a boycott against the poll. The main opposition candidate, Henri Falcón, rejected the result soon after the polls closed, saying: “We do not recognize this electoral process as valid... we have to have new elections in Venezuela.” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan confirmed Washington would not recognize Maduro’s re-election and said the country is considering oil sanctions on Venezuela, which will be discussed at a G-20 meeting in Buenos Aires on Monday.