Nicolás Maduro claims implausible victory in Venezuela’s election

IT IS IN the nature of President Nicolás Maduro’s rule that the hardship and chaos to which he has reduced his country since coming to power in 2013 is hidden by a carefully curated display of jubilation at election time. Mr Maduro’s claim, after polls closed on July 28th, that he had won a third term in office was greeted by prompt fireworks displays in the capital, Caracas, and by jubilant crowds on hand to dance for the television cameras. With most of the vote supposedly counted, an election commission in thrall to the president claimed 51% of the vote for Mr Maduro, compared with 44% for the opposition candidate, Edmundo González.