The Supreme Court of Venezuela has confirmed President Nicolás Maduro's alleged electoral victory, proclaiming him the winner of the July 28, 2024 election with 52% of the vote.

However, opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia has challenged this ruling, asserting that he won more than two-thirds of the votes based on an independent tally.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) did not provide detailed voting records, attributing this to a cyberattack, a claim that many observers view as a cover-up for electoral fraud.

Leaders from neighboring South American countries, including Chilean President Gabriel Boric, have criticized the Supreme Court's ruling as a consolidation of electoral fraud and labeled Maduro's regime as dictatorial.

A UN investigation commission has raised concerns about the lack of independence and impartiality of both the Supreme Court and the CNE, highlighting their roles in the ongoing political crisis.

The opposition has declared the election results invalid, arguing that the court's ruling favors the Maduro regime and undermines democratic processes.

Voluntad Popular, an opposition party, warned that the Supreme Court's decision exacerbates repression against democratic leaders, including González, whom they regard as the legitimate president.

Henrique Capriles, another opposition leader, emphasized that the court's ruling does not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people and deepens the institutional crisis marked by public distrust.

Following the announcement of the election results, spontaneous protests erupted, resulting in violent repression and at least 27 reported deaths, according to Attorney General Tarek William Saab.

The situation has led to increased self-censorship among journalists in Venezuela, who fear reprisals for reporting on the political unrest.

Political analysts suggest that Venezuela faces a critical juncture, with a choice between continuing down an autocratic path or transitioning towards democracy.

The opposition and various countries continue to demand full disclosure of the official election results for independent verification, amidst ongoing allegations of electoral misconduct.