• Nicolás Maduro's party claims victory in divisive elections boycotted by opposition groups.
• The ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) wins 82.68% of votes and 23 of 24 governorships.
• Turnout was estimated at 42.6%, contrasting sharply with the opposition's claims of widespread abstention.
• Election occurred under allegations of government repression and manipulation of results.
• The vote included the contested region of Essequibo, further inflaming tensions with Guyana.

Venezuelan voters participated in legislative and regional elections on May 25, 2025, amid serious accusations of government repression and a boycott called by the main opposition groups. President Nicolás Maduro has declared victory for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which reportedly secured 82.68% of the votes and won 23 out of 24 governor positions, a significant gain in the context of political turmoil and dissent, according to The New York Times, Le Monde, and BBC.

The electoral council (CNE), which has been criticized for its lack of independence, claimed a turnout of 42.6%. However, opposition leader María Corina Machado asserted that the actual participation was much lower and indicative of public discontent with the regime, calling it an “enormous farce” to legitimize Maduro's rule. Many voters refrained from participating, citing a lost faith in the electoral process following the disputed 2024 presidential vote, according to India Times, Al Jazeera, and Al Jazeera.

Election day was marked by a visible presence of armed forces, with more than 400,000 security agents deployed amid accusations of attempts to disrupt the vote by opposition factions. Over 70 individuals connected to the opposition were arrested prior to the elections, raising concerns over state repression and lack of free political expression, which has characterized Venezuela's political landscape, as reported by The New York Times, Le Monde, and TRT Global.

The contested region of Essequibo, claimed by both Venezuela and neighboring Guyana, was also part of these elections, further complicating regional diplomatic relations. The Maduro government conducted the elections despite an ongoing dispute at the International Court of Justice regarding the territory, prompting multiple allegations of manipulative strategies in the conduct of the vote, according to India Times, Le Monde, and BBC.