Venezuela in turmoil as Maduro's victory claim is denied by opponents

Nicolás Maduro's claim of victory in Venezuela's presidential election has brought the South American country to a hazardous standoff, with his thwarted opponents accusing him of rigging the election to remain in power, and many leaders in the region and beyond questioning the veracity and transparency of the vote.

- Patricia Torres and Tom Phillips ,Tiago Rogero

Sunday's results, which followed an election described by independent observers as the most arbitrary in recent years even by the standards of the authoritarian regime founded by Maduro's mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chávez - appeared to have dashed opposition hopes of ending a quarter of a century of Chavista rule and economic turmoil.

After a six-hour delay in releasing the results prompted international concern, the government-controlled electoral council claimed Maduro had won with 51.21% of the votes, compared with 44.2% for his rival, the former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia.

The council said that, with about 80% of votes counted, Maduro had secured more than 5m votes compared with González's 4.4m.

Authorities delayed releasing the results from each of Venezuela's 30,000 polling stations, saying only that they would be released in the "coming hours".

Yesterday morning, amid reports of the first post-election protests breaking out in Caracas, the electoral council officially confirmed Maduro as the victor. "I assume the mandate of the people to be their president and lead out country towards peace and prosperity," Maduro said.

Critics blame Maduro, 61, for leading Venezuela into a crippling economic and social crisis, and turning the country into an increasingly repressive state where political opponents are routinely jailed and tortured.

Addressing supporters in the capital, Caracas, Maduro dedicated his victory to Chávez, who anointed him as his successor shortly before his death in 2013. "Long live Chávez.

Chávez is alive!" Maduro shouted.