Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shows his reaction after the Chavista victory in the municipal elections as he stands next to Carmen Melendez, the re-elected mayor of Caracas. Photo: AP.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) President Elvis Amoroso announced the first bulletin of results for Venezuela’s 2025 municipal elections shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday. He stated: “We have written a new page in our nation’s democratic history through its 33rd constitutional election and the first youth popular consultation. Participants aged 15 and older selected winning projects from 37,080 submissions.”
Speaking from the CNE’s International Press Center, Amoroso added: “Democracy has won—the only path to peace through voting rights. We thank all citizens who civilly exercised their constitutional rights at polling stations.”
Amoroso reported 82.45% of polling stations processed votes, with 44% of projected voter turnout recorded representing 6,273,531 “active” voters. He informed that 304 of 335 mayoral races were decided with “irreversible trends.” Similarly, 2,182 of 2,402 councilor positions (90.84%) showed irreversible results.
Maduro declares “historic victory” for PSUV
President Nicolás Maduro proclaimed a “historic victory” for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) early Monday from Caracas’ Plaza Bolívar addressing supporters. The Chavista leader announced that the PSUV won 285 of Venezuela’s 335 mayoralties.
“From 212 mayoralties in 2021 to 285 today—won by ordinary men, women, and our rebellious people,” Maduro stated. He pledged collaboration with the 50 opposition mayors-elect: “I welcome work, peace, democracy and national coexistence. Respect the communal power emerging nationwide.”
Maduro noted seven elections occurred in 12 months, completing a cycle that began with presidential elections and included popular consultations, National Assembly elections and gubernatorial races.
Chavismo was able to regain control over the Maracaibo municipality, Zulia state, through the victory of Giancarlo Di Martino. Maracaibo has been a stronghold of Venezuela’s far-right opposition.
Tribute to Hugo Chávez on his birthday
Maduro dedicated the victory to the late Commander Hugo Chávez on his 71st birthday. Chávez, born July 28, 1954, in Sabaneta, Barinas state, is remembered as Venezuela’s most influential contemporary leader. His legacy endures through policies emphasizing social justice and national devotion.
The president also thanked the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and law enforcement agencies for executing one of the most peaceful elections in recent years under Republic Plan 2025.
Analysis points to opposition inroads amid low turnout
Analysts noted opposition group Fuerza Vecinal (Neighborhood Force) expanded its influence despite limited CNE data transparency. Turnout fell notably in some state capital cities, averaging 25% in some areas. Experts attributed this to voter apathy stemming from perceived lack of viable opposition alternatives and expectations of a PSUV victory.
First bulletin results by municipality
Caracas and Greater Caracas:
• Libertador: Carmen Meléndez (PSUV): 350,995 votes (86.44%), 39.26% turnout.
• Chacao: Gustavo Duque (Fuerza Vecinal): 16,243 votes (81.11%), 47.68% turnout.
• Baruta: Darwin González (Fuerza Vecinal): 20,622 votes (56.2%), 30.84% turnout.
• El Hatillo: Malena Fernández (Ecological Movement Party): 8,372 votes (64.01%), 36.66% turnout.
• Sucre: Diogenes Lara (PSUV): 75,266 votes (86.2%), 30.41% turnout.
Zero Incidents Reported in Venezuela’s 33rd Election Since 1998
State capitals/mayor cities:
• Amazonas: Atures municipality 51.87% turnout, (PSUV) Kisy Amaro, with 16,083 votes, 62.49%.
• Anzoátegui: Simón Bolívar municipality (Barcelona) 38.76% turnout, (PSUV) Sughey Herrera with 64,880 votes, 90.86%. Sotillo (Puerto La Cruz) 75.86% turnout, (PSUV) Jesus Marcano Tabata, with 6,605 votes, 87.91%. Urbaneja (Lechería), 53% turnout, (Neighborhood Force) Manuel Ferreira, with 7,247 votes, 66.45%.
• Apure: San Fernando de Apure municipality, 80.96% participation, (PSUV) Joel Solorzano, with 28,502 votes, 95.82%.
• Aragua: Girardot Municipality (Maracay), with a turnout of 27.26% (PSUV) Rafael Morales, with 27,272 votes for 88.44%.
• Barinas: Barinas Municipality, with a participation of 27.26% (Psuv) Argenis Alda Soro, with 39,354 votes for 85.90%.
• Bolívar: Angostura del Orinoco municipality, with a participation of 26.13%, (PSUV), Sergio Hernández, with 39,668 votes, 87.19%.
• Carabobo: Valencia municipality, with a 22.84% turnout (PSUV) Dina Castillo, with 67,280 votes, 88.64%. San Diego with a 49.61% turnout (Neighborhood Force) León Jurado, with 6,396 votes, 59.19%.
• Cojedes: Ezequiel Zamora municipality, with a participation of 51.3%, (Vamos Cojedes) Alexander Mirei, with 14,441 votes, 46.17%.
• Delta Amacuro: Tucupita municipality, with a participation of 71.56%, (PSUV) Asnardo Rodríguez, with 34,391 votes, 97.24%.
• Falcón: Miranda municipality, with a participation of 40.10%, (PSUV) Henry Hernández, with 31,774 votes, 75.10%.
• Guárico: Roscio municipality, with a participation of 40.48%, (PSUV) Catherine Guanipa, with 23,125 votes, 80.16%.
• Lara: Iribarren municipality, with a participation of 32.87%, (PSUV) Janeis Agüero, with 153,219 votes, 73.94%.
• La Guaira: Vargas municipality, with a participation of 49.24% (PSUV) José Suárez, with 99,263 votes, 94.10%.
• Mérida: Libertador municipality, with a participation of 27.62% PSUV Nelson León, with 27,124 votes, 86.14%.
• Miranda: Guaicaipuro municipality (Los Teques) with a 36.86% turnout, PSUV Farith Fraija, with 41,148 votes, 84.99%. Los Salías (San Antonio) with a 45.69% turnout, Unity Integrity Movement Edgar Laya, with 8,463 votes, 58.33%.
• Monagas: Maturín municipality, with a participation of 39.23%, (PSUV) Ana Fuentes, with 92,219 votes, 91.46%.
• Nueva Esparta: Juan Bautista municipality, with a 50.6% turnout; Alí Romero (PSUV), with 11,624 votes, 72.26%. Placido Maneiro (Neighborhood Force), with 60.93% turnout; Morel Rodríguez (Neighborhood Force), with 9,074 votes, 63.45%. Santiago Mariño (General-in-Chief), with a 61.74% turnout; Eneas González (PSUV), with 17,356 votes, 50.10%.
• Portuguesa: Guanare municipality with a participation of 34.30%, (PSUV) Oscar Novoa, with 27,562 votes, 91.07%.
• Sucre: Sucre municipality, with a participation of 50.45%, (PSUV) Pedro Figueroa, with 84,283 votes, 93.85%.
• Táchira: San Cristóbal municipality, with a participation of 25.16%, (PSUV) Silfredo Zambrano, with 27,153 votes, 85.66%.
• Trujillo: Trujillo municipality, with a participation of 86.16%, (PSUV) Carlos Terán, with 9,714 votes, 86.66%.
• Yaracuy: San Felipe municipality, with a participation of 47.11%, (PSUV) Roger Daza, with 21,706 votes, 86.68%.
• Zulia: Maracaibo municipality, with a participation of 37.13%, (PSUV) Gian Carlo Di Martino, with 137,998 votes, 73.64%.
Amoroso confirmed municipal electoral boards may proceed with official proclamations of already adjudicated winning candidates and do the same with those to be announced in upcoming results bulletins.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/JB
