Venezuelan Migrants in Chicago Angry, Despondent Over Contested Election Results in Venezuela

Chicago's Venezuelan community upset over alleged victory of authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro as protests, claims of fraud grow in Venezuela

Nicolas Maduro, right and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia both claimed victory in Venezuelan elections until Maduro declared victorPhoto byScreen Capture/Youtube Video [Creator]

CHICAGO - Polls closed in Venezuela at 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, capping a day marked by high voter turnout and long lines. The atmosphere initially suggested a landslide victory for retired diplomat Edmundo González, with early polling indicating he had more than doubled the vote count of the incumbent, Nicolás Maduro.

Maduro had promised to release the election results by 10 p.m., but the announcement was delayed by over two hours. This postponement allowed both candidates to express optimism about their chances. The six-hour delay in declaring a winner pointed to intense discussions within the government on how to proceed, especially after Maduro’s opponents appeared to claim victory early in the evening.

Shortly after midnight, the official results were announced, showing Maduro leading with 51.2% of the vote, followed by González with 44.2%. The National Electoral Council, which aligns with Maduro’s ruling party, declared his victory, securing him a third six-year term. This decision places him at the helm of a nation facing economic challenges and a population seeking change.

Maduro, during a nationally televised ceremony, accused his adversaries of attempting to hack the voting system. "We have never been moved by hatred. On the contrary, we have always been victims of the powerful," he stated. Maduro described the opposition’s actions as a renewed attempt to instigate a coup d’état in Venezuela, characterizing it as fascist and counterrevolutionary. He further implicated Maria Corina Machado, represented in the election by González, in an alleged sabotage plot.

The opposition, which had pledged to protect its votes, did not immediately respond but planned a press conference for later in the day. Meanwhile, thousands of Venezuelans began protesting Maduro’s victory near Caracas' largest impoverished neighborhood.

Internationally, the election results have been met with skepticism. The United States and several Latin American countries, including those with leftist governments historically allied with Maduro, have withheld endorsement of the results. They have called for the publication of the complete voting records, a demand that the Venezuelan socialist government has so far ignored.

Senior US administration officials said the result “does not track with data that we've received through quick count mechanisms and other sources, which suggests that the result that was announced may be at odds with how people voted. That is why we are asking the Venezuelan electoral authorities to release the underlying data that supports the numbers that they have publicly announced.”

Venezuelan migrants in Chicago were quick to respond.

"There's no way that's possible," Rafael R. who came to Chicago in 2022, said. "Gonzalas had 70% of the votes during the day."

Several new arrival from Venezuela likened the election to the current state of the US election.

"Does no one see the similarities here? The only difference is that Trump didn't succeed in stealing the election last time while Maduro did. But personalities [of the two politicians]? The same. They'll both do anything legal or illegal to win," said Jose G. a current resident of Rogers Park, said.

Carmen and Juan S, a married couple currently staying in one of Chicago's shelters were equally doubtful of the results. "Everyone knew Gonzales won," said Juan. "They didn't even announce the results until after midnight because the Government knew who won also and didn't know what to do about the final tally suddenly showing Maduro won."

"If Trump manages to be elected or somehow steals the election like Maduro, we have nowhere to turn," said Carmen. "He'll likely deport all of us and then we'll have to return to the same situation we were fleeing in the first place."

With all the protests and fear over what Maduro will do now he's been elected for yet another six years, many fear for family members sill in Venezuela.

"This [Madero's regine] is why we're all here," said Louis L. a current resident of Hyde Park. "But we're all scared for our friends and relatives who are still there. He'll [Madero] will use this fake victory as a mandate to treat people even worse for his own benefit. He'll arrest more people and more people will starve becaue of the crazy inflation which makes it impossible to buy even basic necessities."

Some Venezuelan migrants in Chicago, considering moving back before the elections due to difficult circumstances and lack of housing in the Windy City, now don't know what to do.

"We were planning on going back home," said Rosa M. who came here with her husband and 2 children last year. "Things are just too hard here. We can't find jobs and are sleeping on couches and the floor in an apartment with 6 other migrants. We thought for sure he [Maduro] would lose this time. We can't go back there with him still running things. I don't know how we'd survive."

As the economy declined 71% from 2012 to 2020, the majority of Venezuelans have not experienced an improvement in their living standards despite Maduro's promises in previous elections. Many earn less than $200 monthly, making it difficult for families to afford basic necessities. Some individuals take on second and third jobs. The cost of a basket of basic staples sufficient to feed a family of four for a month is approximately $385.