Guyana’s Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has sharply criticized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of orchestrating sham elections to distract from his country’s deepening economic crisis.

Jagdeo’s comments come in the wake of Venezuela’s highly disputed 2024 presidential election, which international observers and much of the global community have condemned as neither free nor fair. The election, held on July 28, saw Maduro claim victory for a third term, despite widespread allegations of electoral fraud, repression of the opposition, and a lack of transparency in the vote-counting process.

International monitors, including the Carter Center and the United Nations, reported that the election failed to meet basic democratic standards. Detailed vote counts were withheld by electoral authorities, and opposition candidate Edmundo González, widely seen as the true winner based on independent tallies and exit polls, was forced into exile after facing government persecution.

Jagdeo argued that Maduro’s actions are a deliberate attempt to shift attention away from Venezuela’s ongoing economic collapse. Under Maduro’s rule, Venezuela has experienced hyperinflation, mass unemployment, and the exodus of more than seven million citizens seeking better lives abroad. The country’s economic decline has been compounded by political instability and international sanctions.

“Maduro is using these sham elections as a smokescreen,” Jagdeo said. “He wants to deflect from the suffering of the Venezuelan people and the failures of his government by creating the illusion of legitimacy and stability.”

The disputed election has sparked protests within Venezuela and condemnation from governments and human rights organizations worldwide. Despite mounting evidence of electoral manipulation and state-sponsored repression, Maduro has maintained his grip on power, with support from a handful of allied nations.

Jagdeo’s remarks reflect growing regional concern about the implications of Venezuela’s political crisis, not just for its own citizens but for neighboring countries like Guyana, which have faced increased tensions over border disputes and migration pressures.

As Venezuela’s economic and political turmoil continues, Jagdeo and other regional leaders are calling for renewed international attention and support for democratic restoration in the country.