Foreign Affairs

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — An eerie calm enveloped Venezuela’s capital early Monday, a day after the country’s opposition and entrenched incumbent Nicolás Maduro both claimed victory in the presidential election, setting up a high-stakes standoff.

Several foreign governments, including the U.S. and European Union, held off recognizing the results of Sunday’s election, as officials delayed the release of detailed vote tallies after proclaiming Maduro the winner with 51%, to 44% for retired diplomat Edmundo González.

“Venezuelans and the entire world know what happened,” said González. While the opposition vowed it would defend its votes, González and his allies asked supporters to remain calm for now and called on the government to avoid stoking conflict.

Normally bustling western Caracas awoke as if it was a holiday, with several businesses shuttered, bus stops empty and traffic nonexistent. A few hours earlier, around midnight, a mix of anger, tears and loud pot banging greeted the announcement of results by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council.

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Scary, scary. I don’t believe they can count votes that fast. In the past, Venezuela locked down for 72 hours to count votes and announce winners.