CARACAS, July 29 (Reuters) – President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez both claimed victory in Venezuela's presidential election on Monday, as Washington and other foreign governments cast doubt on official results that kept the incumbent president in power.
Both government and opposition claim election victory in Venezuela, official results questioned
The national electoral authority reported just after midnight that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of the vote – a result that would extend a quarter-century of socialist rule.
However, independent exit polls pointed to a landslide victory for the opposition, following enthusiastic expressions of support for Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado during the campaign.
Gonzalez got 70% of the vote, according to Machado, who was barred from holding public office. She said the decision was unfair.
