Venezuela's Supreme Court supports Maduro's re-election as president
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (photo: Getty Images)
The Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) has confirmed the official results of the presidential elections in Venezuela, despite warnings from the UN about the court's lack of independence and impartiality, reports BBC.
Marta Valiñas, chair of the fact-finding mission organized by the UN Human Rights Council, stated that the government exerted undue influence on the TSJ's decisions through direct appeals to judges and public statements.
The TSJ reported that it reviewed the electoral authority's materials, which indicated that Maduro received just over half of the votes, and concurred that he won.
Caryslia Rodríguez, head of Venezuela's highest court, said: "The electoral material assessed is certified unobjectionably and the results of the presidential election of July 28 released by the National Electoral Council (CNE), where Nicolas Maduro was elected president of the republic, are validated." She added that the decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Francisco Cox Vial, another member of the UN’s fact-finding mission, noted that Rodríguez was a member of Maduro's ruling party and held elected positions within it.
Elections in Venezuela
The US and the EU do not recognize the results of the July 28 elections in Venezuela, in which incumbent President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner. The opposition has alleged election fraud, and widespread protests have erupted in the country.
US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have called on the Venezuelan government to release detailed voting data from the presidential elections.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the US is considering offering Maduro a chance to relinquish power in exchange for amnesty.
The EU has warned that Venezuela could face a serious crisis if President Nicolás Maduro fails to substantiate his electoral victory.
