Venezuelans express anger and disappointment over election results

CARACAS, VENEZUELA - JULY 29: Speaking at the party headquarters in Caracas, Machado disputed the official results from the National Electoral Council (CNE), which showed President Nicolás Maduro winning. According to Machado, their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, received 6,275,182 votes compared to Maduro's 2,729,256. Caracas was notably quiet on election day, with many businesses closed. An Anadolu reporter observed the stillness in the city's historic Bolivar Square and main streets. Venezuelan citizen Ricardo Rodriguez told Anadolu Agency that he believed the elections were fair, but acknowledged the recurring disputes over results. "People decide to choose their president...but here it has become a habit [to dispute results]. Those who oppose the government will always protest," Rodriguez commented. Local taxi driver Freedy Gill expressed disappointment, saying, "We feel totally cheated by the government...seeing that the opposition won in all the states and now they claim Maduro won." He noted that many Venezuelans were demoralized and frustrated, leading to street protests. Eduardo Lopez echoed these sentiments, believing in the democratic process but feeling cheated. "People today woke up totally demoralized, and that's the anger and impotence that the entire Venezuelan people have," Lopez stated, adding that citizens are demanding change. International controversy surrounds the election, with many accusing Maduro of fraud. According to the CNE, Maduro secured 51% of the vote against Gonzalez's 44%. In his victory speech, Maduro, who won a third term, promised peace and stability. (Footage by Sinan Doğan /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)