Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has secured a third term, with the National Electoral Council (CNE) reporting that he won 51% of the vote. This result is based on 80% of the ballots counted, extending Maduro's presidency until January 2031.

Opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia garnered 44.2% of the vote, despite pre-election polls indicating he had a significant lead over Maduro. A survey by ORC Consultores in July had shown González with 59.68% support, compared to Maduro's 14.64%.

The CNE has called for an investigation into an alleged attack on the data transmission system, raising concerns about electoral integrity. This outcome has sparked immediate apprehension among opposition supporters and international observers.

Maduro's victory ensures the continuation of Chavista rule, which began in 1999 with Hugo Chávez. As Maduro embarks on his new term, Venezuela continues to grapple with severe economic issues, including hyperinflation, a shrinking GDP, and widespread shortages of basic goods. The country's economy contracted by nearly 80% over the past decade, and inflation rates have soared, reaching over 9,000% in recent years. Additionally, GDP per capita has plummeted to around $1,600, one of the lowest in Latin America. Socialism works!