Maduro locked in standoff with opponents as each side claims victory in presidential elections

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s opposition and President Nicolas Maduro’s government were locked in a high-stakes standoff after each side claimed victory in Sunday’s presidential vote, which millions in the long-suffering nation saw as their best shot to end 25 years of single-party rule.

Several foreign governments, including the U.S., held off recognizing the results as election officials delayed releasing detailed vote tallies after proclaiming Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote, to 44% for retired diplomat Edmundo González.

“Venezuelans and the entire world know what happened,” González said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken from Tokyo said the U.S. has “serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.”

Gabriel Boric, the leftist leader of Chile, said: “The Maduro regime should understand that the results it published are difficult to believe.”

Meanwhile, on the streets of Caracas, a mix of anger, tears and loud pot banging greeted the announcement of results by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council.