Venezuela's top court ratifies Maduro election win as government tightens control

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech after a march in support of his victory in the July 28 elections, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela August 17, 2024. REUTERS/Maxwell Briceno/File Photo

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's Supreme Justice Tribunal on Thursday ratified President Nicolas Maduro's victory in the July 28 presidential election, sealing institutional backing for the ruling party as the disputed contest fades from international headlines.

Since the vote and deadly anti-government protests which followed, Maduro's administration has conducted what the opposition, human rights groups and unions have characterized as a crackdown on dissent.