Maduro Sweeps Venezuelan Regional Vote Marked by Low Turnout

Venezuela’s ruling party swept regional and parliamentary elections in a landslide Sunday, tightening President Nicolás Maduro’s grip on power after a low-turnout vote marred by widespread opposition abstention and international criticism.

State media declared victories for key Maduro allies, including his wife Cilia Flores and party chief Jorge Rodríguez. The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) won control of 23 out of 24 governorships, according to preliminary results from the National Electoral Council.