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Latest news on Venezuela's 2024 election, providing comprehensive coverage of voting, results, protests, international reactions, and ongoing crisis following disputed outcome between Maduro and González.

Venezuela held its presidential election on 28 July 2024, with incumbent Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party facing opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. The election was marred by accusations of fraud and voter suppression, with international observers deeming it neither free nor fair. The government-controlled National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner, but opposition groups and many foreign governments rejected this result.

In the aftermath, protests broke out across Venezuela as opposition supporters claimed González was the true winner. The Maduro government responded with a crackdown on dissent, arresting thousands of protesters and opposition figures in an operation dubbed "Tun Tun". Meanwhile, countries including Peru, Argentina and the United States recognized González as the rightful president-elect, leading to diplomatic tensions as Venezuela expelled ambassadors from several nations.

The disputed election has reignited Venezuela's long-running political crisis. Opposition leaders María Corina Machado and González have gone into hiding, fearing arrest. Ordinary Venezuelans are facing increased repression, with many reportedly deleting social media content out of fear. The crisis has also sparked a new wave of emigration, exacerbating the existing Venezuelan refugee situation in neighboring countries.

This latest electoral controversy follows years of democratic backsliding in Venezuela under Maduro's rule. Since succeeding Hugo Chávez in 2013, Maduro has consolidated power by packing courts, creating a parallel legislature, and barring opposition candidates. The 2024 election was seen as a crucial test of whether fair elections were still possible in the country.

As the situation in Venezuela remains volatile, stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of the latest developments. Our Â鶹´«Ã½ feed brings you up-to-the-minute updates on diplomatic efforts, protest movements, economic impacts, and potential paths forward in this complex crisis that has major implications for Venezuela and the wider Latin American region.