Mon May 26 06:31:25 UTC 2025: ## Maduro’s Party Claims Victory in Venezuelan Elections Amidst Low Turnout and Opposition Boycott
**Caracas, Venezuela** – President Nicolas Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its allies have secured a resounding victory in parliamentary and regional elections held Sunday, solidifying their control over key institutions in the country. However, the win is overshadowed by a low voter turnout of just 42% and a widespread boycott led by the main opposition, who denounce the elections as a “farce.”
Preliminary results from the National Electoral Council (CNE) indicate that the PSUV and its allies captured 82.68% of the votes for seats in the 285-seat National Assembly. This victory ensures the ruling party’s continued dominance over the attorney general’s office and the top court, whose members are selected by the Assembly. The CNE also reported that the government won 23 out of 24 state governor positions, marking a significant setback for the opposition, which previously held control of four states.
Despite the decisive victory, only 8.9 million of the 21 million eligible voters participated in the elections, mirroring the turnout in the 2021 polls. The opposition, led by figures like Maria Corina Machado, had urged voters to boycott the election in protest of the disputed 2024 presidential election results, which they claim were stolen. Machado asserted that in some areas, as many as 85% of eligible voters abstained.
“When the opponent withdraws from the field, we advance and occupy the terrain,” Maduro stated, dismissing the opposition’s boycott.
Reports from journalists and social media indicated low turnout in major Venezuelan cities. While government-affiliated media showcased long queues of voters in regions like Trujillo and the Amazons, analysts suggest the opposition’s divided stance on the boycott weakened their ability to mount a significant challenge. Questions remain regarding the fairness and freedom of the electoral process.
The elections were held under heightened security, with over 400,000 security agents deployed and numerous arrests made, including prominent opposition member Juan Pablo Guanipa, accused of leading a “terrorist network.” The government, citing potential foreign-backed coup plots, also temporarily closed the border with Colombia prior to the election.
This electoral victory comes at a challenging time for Venezuela. The country’s once-thriving economy continues to struggle under the weight of mismanagement and international sanctions. Recent actions by the United States, including revoking Chevron’s permission to extract Venezuelan crude and ending deportation protection for Venezuelan migrants, could further exacerbate the economic crisis.
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