Capriles formally contests election results.
"The next step is to formally challenge the election results in the judicial bodies, even without expecting a favorable response from the Supreme Court of Justice," said Capriles. "Sooner or later, our country will have new elections," he added.
Renata Giraldi*
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has announced that he will formally contest the results of the country's latest presidential elections, which took place on the 14th. Capriles lost the election to incumbent president Nicolás Maduro. The difference in votes between the two candidates was just over 200.
According to data from the National Electoral Council (CNE), Maduro won the elections with 7.575.506 votes (50,78%), against 7.302.641 votes (48,95%) for Capriles. From the beginning of the vote count, the opposition leader advocated for the annulment of the elections, alleging irregularities.
"The next step is to formally challenge the election results in the judicial bodies, even without expecting a favorable response from the Supreme Court of Justice," said Capriles. "Sooner or later, our country will have new elections," he added. According to Capriles, this procedure could lead to new elections.
On the 19th, Maduro was sworn in as president of Venezuela for the 2013-2019 term at the National Assembly. He received the presidential sash and the collar that was worn by Hugo Chávez from the president of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, and Maria Gabriela Chávez, daughter of the deceased president.
*Based on information from the Portuguese public news agency, Lusa