CARACAS: Venezuela’s government accused the US on Friday of being behind “a coup attempt”, as some regional governments recognised the opposition candidate as the winner of the country’s disputed presidential election.

Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Washington’s recognition of opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez showed it was “at the forefront of a coup attempt.”

“Venezuela’s democracy is one of the most robust in the world, no effort to undermine it will be able to do so,” the government said in a statement shared by Gil.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized Gonzalez as the winner, citing “overwhelming evidence”.

Gonzalez on Friday thanked the US in a social media post “for recognising the will of the Venezuelan people.” A major Venezuelan opposition movement meanwhile said its headquarters in Caracas was vandalised overnight after six hooded men with guns overpowered its security guards, entered the office and took equipment.

“We denounce the attacks and insecurity to which we are subjected for political reasons,” the movement said on social media.

Tensions have escalated after the official electoral council declared President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of the July 28 vote.

At least 20 people have been killed in post-election protests, according to US-based NGO Human Rights Watch.

At least 1,200 people have been arrested in connection with the demonstrations, according to Maduro, who has said two out-of-commission prisons are being revamped to hold them.

The president of Venezuela’s electoral council, Elvis Amoroso, said on Friday that nearly 97 per cent of votes in last Sunday’s election have now been tallied and reaffirmed Maduro’s victory with just under 52 per cent.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2024