In a significant development, the United States has recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as the official winner of Venezuela's controversial presidential election. The opposition candidate expressed gratitude towards the U.S. for acknowledging the will of the Venezuelan people and supporting efforts to restore democratic norms in the country.

The recognition by the U.S. comes after evidence presented by the opposition indicated that González Urrutia emerged victorious in the election. The opposition released more than 80% of electoral tally sheets that they directly received from polling stations across Venezuela, revealing that González Urrutia secured 66% of the votes, while President Nicolás Maduro received approximately 31%.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, referring to the overwhelming evidence, stated that it was clear to the United States and the Venezuelan people that González Urrutia had won the election by a significant margin. This recognition by the U.S. joins that of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, with the latter being the first nation to acknowledge González Urrutia's victory.

However, the aftermath of the announcement was marred by an attack on the headquarters of the opposition party, including the office of María Corina Machado, a prominent leader who was barred from being on the ballot. Several masked assailants broke into the premises, vandalizing walls and allegedly stealing valuable documents and equipment. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, leaving the opposition concerned for their safety.

Machado, who has gone into hiding out of fear of arrest, continued to rally international support against the election results announced by Maduro's regime. Despite calls from multiple governments, including Colombia and Brazil, for the release of detailed vote counts, Venezuela's National Electoral Council, which is loyal to Maduro, has failed to provide the requested information.

Following the controversy surrounding the election results, fears of increased protests and violence have heightened. Thousands of opposition supporters have taken to the streets, while the Venezuelan government claims to have arrested hundreds of protesters. Pro Vea, a local nongovernmental organization, has confirmed the deaths of at least 15 protesters since the demonstrations began, with more reports being verified.

Venezuela, once considered to have Latin America's most advanced economy, has faced turmoil since Maduro assumed power in 2013. Plummeting oil prices, widespread shortages, and hyperinflation have contributed to social unrest and mass emigration, with over 7.7 million Venezuelans leaving the country since 2014, marking the largest exodus in recent Latin American history.

The recognition of González Urrutia by the United States adds pressure on Maduro's government to address the concerns raised by the international community, calling for an independent review of the election results and the release of detailed voting data. As the political and economic crisis in Venezuela deepens, the world watches closely to see how the situation unfolds and whether democratic processes can be restored.