WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after Venezuela held elections over the weekend, and expressed significant concerns with the results announced by the Maduro regime.

The Carter Center, which was invited by Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) to observe the election, has called on the agency to immediately publish election results at the polling station level.

"Despite facing media blackouts and misinformation, intimidation, and violence from the Maduro regime meant to silence and intimidate them, the people of Venezuela have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to democracy by participating in their country's presidential elections. Concerningly, however, credible reporting indicates that the results presented by the regime-controlled electoral authority reflect an attempt to undermine the voices of those seeking transformational change for Venezuela. Any attempt to subvert the will of the Venezuelan electorate is an affront to democracy and an insult to the courageous individuals who risked so much to cast their votes.

"Election officials must immediately improve access to information concerning the election results, including releasing paper tallies of the electronic vote count to the opposition and independent observers. It is critical that all democratic actors in the Hemisphere, specifically Brazil and Colombia, unequivocally and publicly insist on a transparent and honest reporting of the election results.

"The United States and the international community must be unified that it will not accept another day of illegitimate rule by Maduro. Regardless of the outcome, the United States will remain steadfast in its strong support for the Venezuelan people as they strive for a future of freedom, justice, and human dignity."

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