U.S. Officials Cite "Serious Concerns" Over Venezuelan Elections

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of Sunday’s presidential vote by the state-controlled election authority but the result has drawn criticism from U.S. officials.

• The U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said Washington has "serious concerns" about the election results.
• Several election polls had pointed to an opposition win. Opposition representatives said tallies they collected from campaign representatives at the polling stations showed González trouncing Maduro.
• The Biden administration had allowed energy sanctions reprieve for 6 months late last year as it sought free and fair elections in this result.
• Energy sanctions were reimposed April 18 and the issues surrounding the latest election leave any talks about progress unlikely.
• Crude exports out of Venezuela remain strong despite sanctions coming back in with special licenses for imports into the U.S. and Europe helping to keep flows elevated. India’s Reliance was also reported last week to be getting a license.