Canada’s leaders raise questions over Venezuela’s election results [Video]

An election result in Venezuela has drawn concerns from many global leaders, including some here in Canada.

The country’s National Electoral Council declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner of Sunday’s general election, which led to many accusations of fraud and irregularities.

The controversy was sparked after Maduro and his opposition both claimed victory following the poll’s closure, and the electoral body delayed releasing a detailed account of the tallied votes.

In the day following the election, protestors have flooded the streets, held demonstrations, and clashed with police.

The National Electoral Council, which many say is loyal to Maduro’s Socialist Party, handed him a third six-year term as leader, proclaiming he earned 51 percent of the votes.

However — opposition supporting Independent Edmundo González Urrutia claims he secured 70 per cent of the vote.

The opposition party held a news conference where it alleged rules were violated over how the Eectoral Council were handling the vote process.

On Monday, many world leaders expressed skepticism and concerns over the lack of transparency, including Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland.

“I want people of Venezuela, the democrats of Venezuela, to know that Canada stands with them and recognizes that they are fighting hard for democracy and freedom,” she said.

Global Affairs Canada echoed a similar response, calling on Venezuela to publish the results.

The consular body maintains its travel advisories there, and its embassy operations remain suspended.