Britons in Venezuela have today been urged to ‘stay at home’ following the country’s ‘tense’ presidential election.
The Foreign Office issued fresh advice for UK travellers in the South American state in the wake of yesterday’s disputed contest.
Marxist dictator Nicolas Maduro, who has previously been backed by ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, was declared the victor by Venezuela’s electoral body.
But opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez has also claimed victory.
Downing Street this morning said it was ‘concerned’ about claims of ‘serious irregularities in the counting and declared results’ of the election.
Doubts over the legitimacy of the result spread after social media users shared grabs of the announcement of results by Venezuela’s state TV.
One appeared to show 109 per cent of voters had cast a ballot, while another suggested 132 per cent of the country had voted.
Marxist dictator Nicolas Maduro, who has previously been backed by ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, was declared the victor by Venezuela’s electoral body
But opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez has also claimed victory in the country’s presidential election
Venezuelan army soldiers are pictured standing next to voting machines and ballot boxes earlier this month
The Foreign Office issued fresh advice for UK travellers in the South American state in the wake of yesterday’s disputed contest
In the Foreign Office travel advice for Venezuela, updated today, UK citizens were told the situation in the country ‘is currently tense and you should stay at home if possible’.
It added: ‘There is currently an increased risk of electoral demonstrations and protests.
‘You should avoid political rallies, demonstrations and crowds, which may become violent and could be dispersed by the use of force.
‘You should not cross security-force lines or barricades. Monitor developments closely and keep up to date with this travel advice.’
Asked this morning if the UK Government recognised Mr Maduro’s claim of victory, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We are concerned by the allegations of serious irregularities in the counting and declared results of Sunday’s presidential election in Venezuela.
‘We are calling for the swift and transparent publication of full, detailed results to ensure that the outcome reflects the votes of the Venezuelan people.
‘The UK does not currently recognise the Maduro regime and we would wait to ensure the outcome reflects the votes of the Venezuelan people.’
Venezuela’s national electoral council (CNE) is supposedly independent but is accused of being controlled by Mr Maduro’s government.
The 61-year-old – a professed Marxist who has been branded a dictator by critics – has been president since 2013, after he succeeded Hugo Chavez.
When he was Labour leader, Mr Corbyn was criticised for attacking ‘outside interference’ against Venezuela’s socialist regime under Mr Maduro and for failing to back sanctions against Caracas.
Mike Pompeo, the then US secretary of state, branded Mr Corbyn’s apparent support for the Venezuelan leader as ‘disgusting’.
