Entrenched incumbent Maduro declared winner of Venezuela's prez election

Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro was formally declared the winner of his country's disputed presidential election Monday, a day after the political opposition and the entrenched incumbent both claimed victory in the contest.

The National Electoral Council, which is loyal to Maduro's ruling party, announced his victory, handing him a third six-year term as the leader of an economy recovering from collapse and a population desperate for change. The ministers of defence, communications and technology and the head of the National Assembly applauded.

We have never been moved by hatred. On the contrary, we have always been victims of the powerful," Maduro said in the nationally televised ceremony. "An attempt is being made to impose a coup d'tat in Venezuela again of a fascist and counterrevolutionary nature.

We already know this movie, and this time, there will be no kind of weakness, he added, saying that Venezuela's law will be respected.

There was no immediate comment from the ...