The United States officially declared its position on Thursday regarding the outcome of Venezuela’s presidential election, which strongman incumbent Nicolás Maduro claims he won.

But U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying the State Department believes that opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia actually won the contest:

"Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election," Blinken said. 

Maduro is widely believed to have lost before declaring victory, and numerous regional governments have cast doubt on the results. 

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 🇻🇪 USA officially declares Edmundo González as the winner of Venezuela's presidential election against Nicolás Maduro. According to USA Edmundo González Urrutia won on July 28 presidential election,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement." pic.twitter.com/nh5zMAcNlP

— Akisa Limited (@AkisaLimited_) August 2, 2024

It’s been a chaotic period in the South American country’s history:

Venezuela's Election Was Just Stolen, and Biden-Harris Were at the Center of It

Venezuelan Opposition Candidate Claims to Have Proof of Rigged Election

Venezuela Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Countries Questioning Its Election Results

The U.S. and other countries have been trying to pressure Maduro, the successor to leftist Hugo Chávez and the leader of the United Socialist Party, to release evidence regarding voting tallies because there is evidence that he flat-out stole the election:

The National Electoral Council, which is loyal to Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela, has yet to release any results broken down by voting machine, as it did in past elections. It did, however, report that Maduro received 5.1 million votes, versus more than 4.4 million for González. But Machado, the opposition leader, has said vote tallies show González received roughly 6.2 million votes compared with 2.7 million for Maduro.

Maduro, as socialists often do, has run the once-prosperous country into the ground:

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude reserves and once boasted Latin America’s most advanced economy, but it entered into free fall after Maduro took the helm in 2013. Plummeting oil prices, widespread shortages and hyperinflation that soared past 130,000% led to social unrest and mass emigration.

More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014, the largest exodus in Latin America’s recent history.

There are multiple reports that Maduro is cracking down on those questioning his rule.

Maduro's security forces in Venezuela are abducting citizens and "disappearing" them in trucks. The detainees are supposedly being taken to court, but human rights groups say they haven't been able to contact them or provide them legal assistance.

This is what socialist… pic.twitter.com/9XXh5frCfL

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 1, 2024

Earlier today, I spoke with Maria and have since heard that Maduro put a warrant out for @MariaCorinaYa & @EdmundoGU for standing for freedom.

The United States must stand with the people of Venezuela as they courageously rally for freedom and democracy. pic.twitter.com/l46U4J5iKp

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) July 30, 2024

The situation is volatile, and emotions are running high. The pressure on Maduro to come clean is intensifying, and it’s unknown what lengths he will go to to keep his grip on power. He’s shown his ruthless side before, though, so it would not be a surprise if he cracks down hard on his detractors. As this story continues to unfold, RedState will keep you updated.