Nicholas Maduro wins Venezuela’s election; opposition demands recount

Maduro (left), Capriles
Maduro (left), Capriles

Venezuelan officials have announced that Nicholas Maduro of the United Socialist Party, has won a narrow victory at the country’s presidential election, but his rival Henrique Capriles is demanding a recount.

“Today’s loser is you,” Capriles told a news conference on Monday, referring to Maduro. “We won’t recognise a result until every vote has been counted”.

The Election Board announced late Sunday evening that Maduro received 50.76 percent of votes while Capriles got 49.07 percent.

Maduro is the late Hugo Chavez’s hand picked successor. It is a much slimmer margin than predicted.

Maduro said the result of the election is beyond doubt. “There should be no doubts about the election results. The institutions are functioning. If 7,500,000 Venezuelans said that Nicolas Maduro should be the president of the republic until 2019, this must be respected; the democracy and the power of the majority,” Maduro said, addressing a crowd from the Miraflores presidential palace.

But, he said he would welcome an audit.

“We are calling for respect of the results. If they want do an audit, they are welcome to do it. They can do whatever audit they want to do. We trust in the Venezuelan electoral system. We welcome an audit,” said Maduro.

Capriles said the result is not a reflection of the reality in Venezuela and pointed out that the ‘struggle’ will continue. “This result does not reflect the reality of what Venezuelans want and aspire to,” he said. “Mr Maduro, if you were illegitimate before, now you are more so. “I tell you firmly, this struggle is not over. It will end when Venezuela is a prosperous country when people can live better.

Nearly 19 million people were eligible to vote.

Casting votes at the Venezuelan embassy in Dominica. Photo by Zaimis Olmos
Venezuelans in Dominica cast votes at the Venezuelan embassy. Photo by Zaimis Olmos

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53 Comments

  1. Dominican
    April 16, 2013

    That election slop from Chavez to Maduro is so steep so soon, dose it mean that Chavez was more experienced in election rigging than Maduro? the election was more free and fair with Maduro? or the Venezuelan people suddenly woke up?

  2. Morihei Ueshiba
    April 16, 2013

    I agree with Maduro, and i think skerrit need to apologize to America for his nonsense, America is #1. How many Dominicans migrate to Venezuela? Most of our people go America cause America is #1. Dem fellas like to play the Castro card and all their people run to live in America cause it is a better place to live.

  3. for true
    April 16, 2013

    The writing is on the wall for Dominica.Vote them out the corrupt regime.

  4. Someone in the Know
    April 15, 2013

    Why would any Dominica want to see capriles winthe elction in Venezuela? Capriles has made it very clear – a campaign promise that he will end Venezuela’s present foreign policy. A policy thathas seen invalaubale foreign aid coem to Dominica. So why would any Domibnican want to see that aid stop? Why? I suppose I can answer. Less foreign support for projects locally,then thegovernment wiould find it more difficult to deliver certain basic social development activities such as housing and education anjd so the opposition would have soemthing to talk about. Long live the Chavez socialist revolution where poor people have a chance, a real chance to benefit from their countries wealth and at the same time assist foreign countries out of mutual respect for each other. Those who celbrated Chavez’s death and the slim results of the elctiosn have another six years to wait. Who (Dominica) Jah bless, no onme curse.

    • T
      April 15, 2013

      Bull crap. Our government better start thinking. The giving days are over.!

    • ()
      April 15, 2013

      The revolution is over.It was not good. Keep on dreaming still. The man (Maduro)won the elcction by the skin of his teeth. You think Venezuelans are like Dominicans.

    • IluvmyPm
      April 16, 2013

      Would u like me to take $5,000.00 from your savings every month and give a Venezuelan, so why should u rejoice when maduro take the people oil wealth and give us , when they have their own problems, as a Dominican we don’t practice what we preach, we teach hard work and productivity yet do the opposite.

  5. ....................
    April 15, 2013

    Seem as if Venezuelans will see and end to the bad governance of their country soon.

  6. kuba
    April 15, 2013

    maduru first problem will be within his party it is going to be just like Chávez cancer eating within.also I think socialism is over in venezuel
    frist thing maduro did was to send word to have talk with the usa chavez # one enemy.Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico, who was in Caracas as a representative of the Organization of American States, said in an interview that Maduro called him aside after a meeting of election observers on Saturday and asked him to carry a message, the NYT reported.

    “He said, ‘We want to improve the relationship with the U.S., regularize the relationship,’” the newspaper quoted Richardson as saying

    • Justice and Truth
      April 16, 2013

      He is wise to want to improve relations with the U.S. This is also for “peace sake”. In so doing he may eventually receive help from the U.S.

  7. %
    April 15, 2013

    Boy look a surprise…. Well Dominicans who were made to believe that Venezuela and China were our grand daddys, better tie their waists.
    Just two days after Chavez’s death his party is virtually BOOTED OUT OF OFFICE.
    That’s what people do to bad leaders.
    Here at home, the arrogant and insultive,lazy and incompetent leader’s turn is next.

  8. Red Red
    April 15, 2013

    Poor Venezuelans, another five years of dem fellas, they cannot even maintain a stable currency and they want to help other countries.
    Lead by example my friend put your house in order then bring Alba.

    • Justice and Truth
      April 16, 2013

      You have stated nonsense. It is obvious you do not think before making comments. You really do not know much. If they put their house in order, they will be called selfish and all other derogatory names. They will be blacklisted as lacking generosity.
      Canada, U.S. and Europe cannot take care of their poor yet they can help other countries. If they utilized that money which they give to other countries, they could easily eradicate poverty in their country.
      It is something that baffles me since charity begins at home. No matter what type of country, they are committed to helping other countries who are worst off than they are. Allow them to do so and cease criticizing Venezuela.
      These Governments set side a certain amount of funds in their budget to assist other countries. Keep this in mind.

      • Red Red
        April 16, 2013

        Put your money where your mouth is, it easy to speak when no one taking your wealth to give to someone else, how would u feel if i took $10,000.00 from your savings to give to peeping Tom without your consent. How??

  9. truth offends
    April 15, 2013

    If the results are true and the margin of 1.69% remains, I would be very sorry for Dominica because it would mean that the country is split in half and Maduno would not be in a position to help Dominica, and the DLP, sustain the Red Clinic. That means the clinic will soon be closed and companies like Domlec, Marpin, Lime, Dowasco, etc, would have to disconnect more customers and more Dominicans will have to consider migrating.
    With this close margin of victory, and knowing how the socialist party in Venezuella operates, for the good of all, it should be an automatic recount. In the event Maduro does not know how to conduct a successful recount, then he should call his brother here in Dominica and ask him how to do it since he conducted successful recounts in constituencies like: La Plaine, Grandfond, Wesley, and Roseau Valley.

    • Justice and Truth
      April 16, 2013

      If I were you I would not unduly concern myself about all that. Everything will work out as it should in time.

  10. Not a herd follower
    April 15, 2013

    I was stunned by the results. I thought Maduro would have won by a much larger margin. Again, the result suggests growing disllusionment with Chavez’s failed revolution.

    • Justice and Truth
      April 16, 2013

      Both sides claimed that the votes were rigged.

  11. Not a herd follower
    April 15, 2013

    The result of the elections suggest that the era of Chavez and the Chavistas is coming to an end, and rapdidly. For all the boasts of the Chavistas, the people of Venezuela are increasingly growing disillusioned with the socialism of Chavez and his apostles. The revolution is failing, big time. The situation again highlights the folly of basing Dominica’s development on handouts from the administration of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

    • Justice and Truth
      April 16, 2013

      Not necessarily so. You are not God and cannot read and forecast the future.

  12. Observer
    April 15, 2013

    THAT PROCESS OF VOTING DOESN’T LOOK GOOD TO ME. Are there other persons in the room that the photographer did not take??? It looks unreal

  13. balla
    April 15, 2013

    It was obvious that he would win but by sucha small margin something is fishy..

  14. Call 4 ed fr Malgras
    April 15, 2013

    Where is Dr.Malgrasa Political Historian Phd post?
    ProfessorMalgrasa ! Jamie wants you to give your able suggestions onthe future of venezuela and Chavezismo. educate the massses on that professor Malgrasa. We await your enlightenment, future great leader.

  15. Stoney
    April 15, 2013

    shows that the Venezuelans can think…

    wonder if Dominicans do read and understand that Showmanship doesn’t bring home success stories..

    If Charvez and his Policies where that great for His Country…the Margin would have being wider for his Successor, but it shows that there is a wind of change blowing in that country..

    Maduro will have a tough task on his hands, quite Possible his Regime could fall sooner than later.

    Sadly Dominicans are easily fooled and have a relax mindset to everything…

    That’s why the continue to remain the Poorest in The Caribbean….unable to take action!

    But while Dominicans sit back and including the Religion, the Policy Makers and think everything is Nice.the island is decaying

    Dominicans are to (DULL)

    • #Reisdent#
      April 15, 2013

      LOL alu ppl always have someting to say

      • Justice and Truth
        April 16, 2013

        True, one way or the other, pro or con. What is yours? :lol:

    • Justice and Truth
      April 16, 2013

      You do not know what occurred during the election and whether the votes were rigged as they stated. This could easily have happened. Therefore, hold your comments and keep the peace. I let Venezuela handle their policies, principles, problems and decisions, come what may. Wise and broadminded people would adopt this.

  16. METO
    April 15, 2013

    DNO thanks for the little picture of Venezuelans voting in Dominica, I love that. please add they are not citzens of another country they do not hold dual citzenship but to their country unlike the hundreds of American by way of naturalizion in America that skeritt was recruiting on Saturday in East Orange NJ. close door meeting open door meeting the recording is out and Dominicans will hear it in due time. Time will tell!!!

    • IPO
      April 15, 2013

      I thought this meeting was in Giraudel. Marlon gave me wrong information again

    • I DIE NU
      April 15, 2013

      Meto,DA me come from.No matter what you(uwp)say or do you cannot stop REGGAE..No matter where I AM,as long as I was born in Dominica and I am eligible to vote,or I am on the Voters list,and I contribute to Dominica,(I Will Vote!)Uwp did the same damn thing all you saying Skerrit do!

    • April 15, 2013

      METO, please think before you write. The constitution of Venezuela differs from that of Dominica. The Constitution of Dominica allows Dominicans to hold dual-citizenship; so what’s the problem with an expatriot going/coming down to Dominica to cast his vote?

      Since that offends you here’s what I’ll do: I’ll do my best, if God spares my live, to be home to cast my vote anytime Elections are called. I did not intend to go down to D/ca until another eighteen months, but you’ve caused me to change my mind.__”Good job, my friend!”

      So you see that the more foolishness folks like you write, the more you hurt you party.

      “LABOUR ALL THE WAY!”

  17. []
    April 15, 2013

    so interesting..so venezuelans can vote in Dominica mmmm so brilliant. then y did skeritt and edo have to bring people down to vote..allu people can waste money we. just allow the people to vote over where they are..so billiant that they can vote here for the country’s president.

  18. Morihei Ueshiba
    April 15, 2013

    Maduro America is #1 Long Live Obama, U and skerrit jealous of America. 8)

  19. Lougaoo Mem
    April 15, 2013

    This is it! Chavismo is over and the people are beginning to feel the pain of the mismanagement of their natural resources.

    Nicholas Maduro won by the smallest margin in 50 years of Venezuelan election. Indeed, there’s a clear lesson for those who think that the fire brand socialism, which continues to impoverish
    the Venezuelan people is sustainable.

    Dominicans, I hope you’ll take note and understand that with all the projects that the Skerrit administration has undertaken, our island is in its worst economic state. We now have the largest trade deficit, a large national debt, no jobs for the people while the most corrupt government continues to enrich themselves, lie and deceive its people.

    How long people? It’s up to you. You have the power to change the course the country is currently on before it’s too late.

    • venezuela
      April 15, 2013

      i am a dominican leaving in Venezuelan and i can tell u that a lot of the things people complain about in skerrit were not characteristics of chavez.so u may think skerrit is trying to govern like chavezs but he has a long way to go.

  20. April 15, 2013

    its all good a win is a win

    • Malgraysa
      April 15, 2013

      You obviously have never heard of a Pyrrhic victory.

  21. afan
    April 15, 2013

    so that is you and your leader great economic plan??? lol to depend on another sovereign nation to foot your bill and pay your way in life??? this is sad, maybe there will be more oversight to the kind of aid we receive from them and exactly what it goes to

  22. Malatete
    April 15, 2013

    This is not very good for us. A margin of only 1.69% will leave Venezuela a much divided nation with Maduro having to concentrate all his efforts in trying to hold his country together, with little room to take care of the needs of other countries, leave alone little Dominica.

    • venezuela
      April 15, 2013

      this slim margin happened because the chavistas confided that maduro would win and many did not go to vote. almost 4 million people did not vote

  23. Justice and Truth
    April 15, 2013

    Interesting! I had an inkling that he would have won. It was a slim margin. Nevertheless, he won. Congratulations to him. Wishing him all the best in his new portfolio as president. May God bless him and assist him to lead the country appropriately and to help the people, specifically those who are in need of, the poor and other underprivileged ones.

  24. April 15, 2013

    Hugo Chavez is happy in his grave,the people of Venezuelan has spoken,I hope other country will respect the voters decision,I hope they wont called him a detector as they did Chavez.

    • Anonymous
      April 15, 2013

      you mean “dictator” maybe?

    • claire
      April 15, 2013

      tell it to our leader he did not respect some last election

  25. Anonymous
    April 15, 2013

    lol…totally saw this coming.. hahahaha.

    • Nac Vibes
      April 15, 2013

      Oh you wise one, the only person who knew this result before it happened, you should be president of Dominica.

      • Peeping Tom
        April 15, 2013

        :mrgreen:

  26. Anonymous
    April 15, 2013

    Well let’s see what happens nnow

  27. April 15, 2013

    Maduro trouble just begin he is on his own without Chavez to run too the people will be in a wait and see mood because this guy have to deal with other leaders in the outside world.

  28. venezuela
    April 15, 2013

    q viva la revolucion bolivariana!!

  29. Tempi
    April 15, 2013

    If you follow the elections even Maduro wants a recount. He knows how it looks.

    Layba better start preparing for the end of the gravy train.

  30. labor
    April 15, 2013

    who cares

    • Layba
      April 15, 2013

      Well i care ! Maybe you are not a Dominican. I am, are you?

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