The Associated Press reports:
Embattled incumbent Nicolas Maduro won Venezuela’s presidential election by a landslide in a disputed vote marred by irregularities and mass absenteeism that led his main rivals to call for a re-run to prevent a national social crisis from exploding. The National Election Council announced that with more than 92 percent of polling stations reporting, Maduro won nearly 68 percent of the votes Sunday, beating his nearest challenger Henri Falcon by more than 40 points.
As the results were being announced, residents of downtown Caracas just a few blocks from where Maduro supporters were celebrating banged on pots and pans in protest. Falcon accused the government of buying votes and dirty tricks to boost turnout among poor voters most hurt by widespread food shortages and hyperinflation in what was once Latin America’s wealthiest nation.
What a ridiculous, fake and failed election.
It is clear Maduro is a Dictator trying to legitimize it’s undemocratic regime.
Venezuela’s freedom fighters:
In jail, in Venezuela or in the world, the future is yours. The Dictator will not prevail Mexico & the World are with you!!— Vicente Fox Quesada (@VicenteFoxQue) May 20, 2018
Que ningún venezolano se quede sin ver este vídeo. Sin duda es para demostrar el engaño de @NicolasMaduro al simular que saludando a un mar de electores y no hay nadie. Me pueden ayudar para todos vean este vídeo. pic.twitter.com/rEjMdE19cB
— Maihen (@MaihenH) May 20, 2018
This is hilarious. Venezuela’s Maduro pretends he’s waving to enormous crowds on Election Day, but there is no one around. How do you say Potemkin village in Spanish? What a farce! https://t.co/NWTAQSoyHC
— David Luhnow (@davidluhnow) May 20, 2018
Watching #Venezuela today. Sham elections change nothing. We need Venezuelan people running this country…a nation with so much to offer the world. We call on the government to free #JoshHolt
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) May 20, 2018