Blinken Declares Venezuelan Opposition Figure Winner of July Presidential Election

Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared on X that Edmundo González won the Venezuela presidential election several months ago. It is unclear if Washington’s position will make a difference as González lives outside Venezuela. 

On Tuesday, Blinken posted, “The Venezuelan people spoke resoundingly on July 28 and made [González] the president-elect. Democracy demands respect for the will of the voters.” González is currently living in Spain. 

In August, about a week after the election, Blinken made a similar statement, saying that González won the election by an “insurmountable margin.” The Secretary based that conclusion on a report by the Carter Center. Blinken claimed the institution is “independent.” That claim is false as the Carter Center is funded by multiple US government agencies, including the State Department.