Panama Backs Venezuela's Edmundo Gonzlez over Nicolas Maduro
NewsweekJAN 15
Venezuela's González Presents Alleged Original Ballot Tallies Ahead of Inauguration Day
Above: Panama's Pres. José Raúl Mulino shows an electoral tally presented by Venezuela's US-recognized Pres.-elect Edmundo González Urrutia as they hold a joint press conference after a meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City, Panama on Jan. 8, 2025. Image copyright: Daniel A. Gonzalez/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
González is the rightful president-elect of Venezuela, and the voting tallies he presented in Panama prove that. As Maduro and his allies plan to usurp power at the presidential inauguration, the free world must stand firmly with González and put further pressure on Caracas.
Establishment-critical narrative
Maduro won the presidential election through proper constitutional channels, and many countries have already recognized him as the legitimate president-elect. It's no surprise, though, that the US and its proxies have sided with González, as installing a puppet regime in Venezuela has long been seen as a way to get its hands on the country's oil.