Venezuela's Supreme Court confirms President Maduro's victory

The decision was announced on August 22 at an event attended by senior officials and foreign diplomats .

Supreme Court President Caryslia Rodriguez said the court had reviewed documents from the electoral body and agreed that Mr Maduro had won the election, adding that the decision could not be appealed.

"The results of the July 28 election announced by the national electoral council, where Mr. Nicolas Maduro was elected President, have been confirmed," Ms. Rodriguez said.

The move by Venezuela's Supreme Court gives President Maduro, who took office in 2013, another six-year term, scheduled to begin in January next year.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (in green hat, center) marches in support of the government in Caracas, Venezuela, August 17. Photo: AP

Mr. Maduro had previously asked the court to verify the election results in an attempt to appease protests and international criticism after the disputed vote on July 28. Court judges have summoned all candidates to submit copies of their voting machine ballots, which they received under the law.

However, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez was the only one of the 10 candidates not to participate in the Supreme Court's vote count. Both Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado are under investigation for several crimes, including sedition after they called on security forces to protest the election results.

Ms Rodriguez said the opposition's failure to submit copies and Mr Gonzalez's failure to appear were "disrespectful behaviour" and should result in him facing sanctions.

At least 23 protesters have been killed and about 2,400 arrested in anti-government protests in Venezuela since the election, according to the United Nations.

Ngoc Anh (according to AP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/toa-an-toi-cao-venezuela-xac-nhan-chien-thang-cua-tong-thong-maduro-post308934.html