Venezuela Supreme Court of Justice rules on election results: First statement from Maduro

The Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela has confirmed that Nicolas Maduro won the presidential election held in the country on July 28.

According to reports in the national press, the TSJ Electoral Chamber has ruled on the results of the July 28 presidential election, which had been the subject of long-standing disputes between the ruling party and the opposition.

Deciding that the presidential election results published by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on July 29 contained no irregularities, the TSJ upheld Maduro's victory in the election.

TSJ Judge Caryslia Beatriz Rodriguez stated in her announcement that the CNE's result bulletins were consistent with the reports from polling stations, noting, "These reports fully coincide with the database of the national counting centers."

Noting that a "comprehensive" and "in-depth" investigation into the election process had been conducted, Rodriguez also stated that it had been proven that a "major" cyberattack was carried out on the CNE's system following the conclusion of the July 28 presidential election.

TSJ ISSUES FINAL RULINGS

The Supreme Court of Venezuela is considered the country's highest judicial body and is known to be responsible for certifying the validity of elections in accordance with Venezuelan law.

When objections are raised regarding election results or when results are controversial, the TSJ intervenes to issue a final ruling on the matter.

The TSJ's confirmation of Maduro's victory means that the election results are legally accepted.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM MADURO

Addressing the public at the unveiling ceremony of a statue of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in La Guaira state, Maduro evaluated the TSJ's decision regarding the July 28 elections.

Emphasizing that the TSJ had made a historic and definitive decision, Maduro said, "We have absolute respect for the decisions of the law, national sovereignty, and justice. We will continue to move forward within the framework of respect for the Constitution and on the path of peace. When there is an electoral dispute, the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice decides it. The Venezuelan constitution is for everyone in the country."

Recalling that Chavez's statue had been attacked by "fascists" who caused violent incidents in the streets, Maduro stated that the National Assembly (AN) has taken action to enact "deterrent" penalties.

Targeting the opposition without naming them, Maduro said, "They aimed to sabotage the country's power plants and leave Venezuela without electricity. They carried out attacks that constitute crimes against the Republic, and many of our national police officers were injured in the violent incidents, some of them seriously. We have quickly restored our public institutions that they damaged."

The Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela had confirmed that Maduro won the presidential election held in the country on July 28.

MADURO HAD WON FOR THE THIRD TIME

According to the results announced by the Venezuelan Electoral Council on July 29, President Maduro had won the presidential election for the third time with 51.20 percent of the vote.

Opposition coalition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado had rejected the election results.