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Venezuela's Maduro asks top court to audit the presidential election, but observers cry foul

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Venezuela's Maduro asks top court to audit the presidential election, but observers cry foul
News

News

Venezuela's Maduro asks top court to audit the presidential election, but observers cry foul

2024-08-01 11:08 Last Updated At:11:20

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday asked Venezuela’s high court to conduct an audit of the presidential election after opposition leaders disputed his claim of victory, drawing criticism from foreign observers who said the court is too close to the government to produce an independent review.

Maduro told reporters that the ruling party is also ready to show all the vote tally sheets from Sunday's election.

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Homes cover a hill in the Junquito neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Homes cover a hill in the Junquito neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

A defaced mural of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez covers a wall on the side of a highway, next to historic Venezuelan national heroes, following protests against the official election results declaring Chavez's protege President Nicolas Maduro the winner, in Valencia, Venezuela, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Jacinto Oliveros)

A defaced mural of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez covers a wall on the side of a highway, next to historic Venezuelan national heroes, following protests against the official election results declaring Chavez's protege President Nicolas Maduro the winner, in Valencia, Venezuela, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Jacinto Oliveros)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A shopper walks inside a near-empty market in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. Market organizers said that their usual truck shipments of produce have not arrived as planned and sales has increased. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

A shopper walks inside a near-empty market in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. Market organizers said that their usual truck shipments of produce have not arrived as planned and sales has increased. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

People line up to buy meat in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

People line up to buy meat in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Statues of birds cast shadows on a mural in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Statues of birds cast shadows on a mural in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a Bible during his news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a Bible during his news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People check in for flights at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People check in for flights at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People line up to buy chicken in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

People line up to buy chicken in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez stands by before a news conference with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after Maduro's disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez stands by before a news conference with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after Maduro's disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sits in front of an image of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar as he gives a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sits in front of an image of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar as he gives a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A man votes in the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A man votes in the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A police patrol car sits parked outside Argentina's embassy where some members of Venezuela's opposition are seeking asylum inside, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the contested presidential election. The Venezuelan government has asked its diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours after the government of Argentine President Javier Milei questioned the results of Sunday's presidential election that declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A police patrol car sits parked outside Argentina's embassy where some members of Venezuela's opposition are seeking asylum inside, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the contested presidential election. The Venezuelan government has asked its diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours after the government of Argentine President Javier Milei questioned the results of Sunday's presidential election that declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Electoral officials tally votes after polls closed for presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Electoral officials tally votes after polls closed for presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People line up to vote in presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People line up to vote in presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blows a kiss next to his wife Cilia Flores, left, at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blows a kiss next to his wife Cilia Flores, left, at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with Supreme Court justices upon arrival to the Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with Supreme Court justices upon arrival to the Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up a booklet with his name on it as he speaks to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up a booklet with his name on it as he speaks to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Voters line up at a polling station during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters line up at a polling station during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters line up outside a polling station that reads in Spanish "Vote" during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Voters line up outside a polling station that reads in Spanish "Vote" during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro flashes a victory sign as he holds hands with his wife Cilia Flores at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. At right, second from the bottom is Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. At left, top, is National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro flashes a victory sign as he holds hands with his wife Cilia Flores at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. At right, second from the bottom is Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. At left, top, is National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves after speaking to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves after speaking to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

The sun shines onto buildings in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

The sun shines onto buildings in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Members of the presidential guard wave flags from the regiment's headquarters during a rally by government supporters in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Members of the presidential guard wave flags from the regiment's headquarters during a rally by government supporters in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Government supporters rally in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Government supporters rally in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during a speech from the presidential palace in defense of his reelection, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during a speech from the presidential palace in defense of his reelection, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez leads a demonstration against the official election results that declared that President Nicolas Maduro won reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez leads a demonstration against the official election results that declared that President Nicolas Maduro won reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez ride atop a truck during a protest against official presidential election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez ride atop a truck during a protest against official presidential election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, right, stands with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Petro arrived at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, right, stands with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Petro arrived at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

“I throw myself before justice,” he said outside the Supreme Tribunal of Justice headquarters in the capital, Caracas, adding that he is “willing to be summoned, questioned, investigated.”

This is Maduro's first concession to demands for more transparency about the election. However, the court is closely aligned with his government; the court's justices are proposed by federal officials and ratified by the National Assembly, which is dominated by Maduro sympathizers.

The Carter Center, which sent a delegation to Venezuela to monitor the election, criticized Maduro's audit request, saying the court would not provide an independent review.

“You have another government institution, which is appointed by the government, to verify the government numbers for the election results, which are in question,” said Jennie K. Lincoln, who led the delegation. “This is not an independent assessment.”

The Atlanta-based group said Tuesday night that it was unable to verify the announced results and criticized what it called a “complete lack of transparency” in declaring Maduro the winner. Venezuela’s electoral authorities allowed the Carter Center to send 17 observers.

Maduro's main challenger, Edmundo González, and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado say they obtained more than two-thirds of the tally sheets that each electronic voting machine printed after polls closed. They said the release of the data on those tallies would prove Maduro lost.

Maduro insisted to reporters that there had been a plot against his government and that the electoral system was hacked. Asked later on during a news conference why electoral authorities have not released detailed vote counts, Maduro said the National Electoral Council has come under attack, including cyber-attacks.

“Engineers are fighting right now” to solve those attacks, he said without elaborating.

The government presented some videos that the president said showed people attacking and torching some electoral offices. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the images.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab said more than 1,000 people related to some of those attacks have been arrested.

Pressure has been building on the president since the election. The National Electoral Council, which is loyal to his United Socialist Party of Venezuela, has yet to release any results broken down by voting machine, which it did in past elections.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a close Maduro ally, joined other foreign leaders Wednesday in urging him to release detailed vote counts.

“The serious doubts that have arisen around the Venezuelan electoral process can lead its people to a deep violent polarization with serious consequences of permanent division,” Petro said on the social platform X.

“I invite the Venezuelan government to allow the elections to end in peace, allowing a transparent vote count, with the counting of votes, and with the supervision of all the political forces of its country and professional international supervision,” he added.

Petro proposed that Maduro’s government and the opposition reach an agreement “that allows for the maximum respect of the (political) force that has lost the elections.” The agreement, he said, could be submitted to the United Nations Security Council.

His comments came a day after another ally, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, along with U.S. President Joe Biden, called for the “immediate release of full, transparent, and detailed voting data at the polling station level.”

Brazil’s presidential office refused to comment Wednesday on whether an audit by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice would amount to an independent verification. Instead, it pointed to a Monday statement from the Ministry for Foreign Relations saying the government awaits “the publication by the National Electoral Council of data broken down by polling station, an indispensable step for the transparency, credibility and legitimacy of the election result.”

Lula said of Maduro on Tuesday that “the more transparency there is, the greater his chance of having peace to govern Venezuela.”

The Organization of American States convened for an extraordinary session Wednesday, but members were unable to reach a consensus on a resolution to pressure Venezuelan authorities to “immediately” publish the granular results and verify them in the presence of international observers. Seventeen nations voted in favor of the resolution, one short of the threshold required for passage. Eleven abstained, and five were absent.

According to Machado, the opposition leader, the vote tallies show González received roughly 6.2 million votes compared with 2.7 million for Maduro. That is widely different from the electoral council's report that Maduro received 5.1 million votes, against more than 4.4 million for González.

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude reserves and once boasted Latin America’s most advanced economy, but it entered into free fall after Maduro took the helm in 2013. Plummeting oil prices, widespread shortages and hyperinflation that soared past 130,000% led to social unrest and mass emigration.

More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014, the largest exodus in Latin America’s recent history. Many have settled in Colombia.

Speaking to reporters in Vietnam on Wednesday, the European Union's foreign affairs chief said the bloc won't recognize Maduro’s claim of electoral victory without independent verification of voting records.

“They should have been provided immediately, as in any democratic electoral process,” Josep Borrell said.

Within hours of the electoral council saying Maduro had won, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Caracas and other cities. The protests, which continued into Tuesday, turned violent at times, and law enforcement responded with tear gas and rubber pellets.

The Venezuela-based human rights organization Foro Penal said 11 people, including two minors, were killed in election-related unrest.

Maduro’s closest ruling party allies quickly came to his defense. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez — his chief negotiator in dialogues with the U.S. and the opposition — insisted Maduro was the indisputable winner and called his opponents violent fascists. He called for Machado and González to be arrested.

Machado and González urged their supporters to remain calm.

“I ask Venezuelans to continue in peace, demanding that the result be respected and the tally sheets be published,” González said on X. “This victory, which belongs to all of us, will unite us and reconcile us as a nation.”

Salomon reported from Miami. Associated Press writers Ella Joyner in Brussels and Eleonore Hughes in Rio de Janeiro contributed.

Homes cover a hill in the Junquito neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Homes cover a hill in the Junquito neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

A defaced mural of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez covers a wall on the side of a highway, next to historic Venezuelan national heroes, following protests against the official election results declaring Chavez's protege President Nicolas Maduro the winner, in Valencia, Venezuela, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Jacinto Oliveros)

A defaced mural of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez covers a wall on the side of a highway, next to historic Venezuelan national heroes, following protests against the official election results declaring Chavez's protege President Nicolas Maduro the winner, in Valencia, Venezuela, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Jacinto Oliveros)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A shopper walks inside a near-empty market in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. Market organizers said that their usual truck shipments of produce have not arrived as planned and sales has increased. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

A shopper walks inside a near-empty market in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. Market organizers said that their usual truck shipments of produce have not arrived as planned and sales has increased. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

People line up to buy meat in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

People line up to buy meat in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Statues of birds cast shadows on a mural in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Statues of birds cast shadows on a mural in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a Bible during his news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a Bible during his news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People check in for flights at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People check in for flights at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People line up to buy chicken in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

People line up to buy chicken in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez stands by before a news conference with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after Maduro's disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez stands by before a news conference with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after Maduro's disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sits in front of an image of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar as he gives a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sits in front of an image of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar as he gives a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A man votes in the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A man votes in the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A police patrol car sits parked outside Argentina's embassy where some members of Venezuela's opposition are seeking asylum inside, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the contested presidential election. The Venezuelan government has asked its diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours after the government of Argentine President Javier Milei questioned the results of Sunday's presidential election that declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A police patrol car sits parked outside Argentina's embassy where some members of Venezuela's opposition are seeking asylum inside, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after the contested presidential election. The Venezuelan government has asked its diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours after the government of Argentine President Javier Milei questioned the results of Sunday's presidential election that declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Electoral officials tally votes after polls closed for presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Electoral officials tally votes after polls closed for presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Election workers prepare polling stations in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 26, 2024. The presidential election is set for July 28. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People line up to vote in presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People line up to vote in presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blows a kiss next to his wife Cilia Flores, left, at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blows a kiss next to his wife Cilia Flores, left, at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with Supreme Court justices upon arrival to the Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with Supreme Court justices upon arrival to the Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up a booklet with his name on it as he speaks to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up a booklet with his name on it as he speaks to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Voters line up at a polling station during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters line up at a polling station during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters line up outside a polling station that reads in Spanish "Vote" during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Voters line up outside a polling station that reads in Spanish "Vote" during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro flashes a victory sign as he holds hands with his wife Cilia Flores at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. At right, second from the bottom is Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. At left, top, is National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro flashes a victory sign as he holds hands with his wife Cilia Flores at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. At right, second from the bottom is Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. At left, top, is National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves after speaking to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves after speaking to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

The sun shines onto buildings in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

The sun shines onto buildings in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the country's disputed presidential election. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Members of the presidential guard wave flags from the regiment's headquarters during a rally by government supporters in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Members of the presidential guard wave flags from the regiment's headquarters during a rally by government supporters in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Government supporters rally in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Government supporters rally in defense of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during a speech from the presidential palace in defense of his reelection, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during a speech from the presidential palace in defense of his reelection, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez leads a demonstration against the official election results that declared that President Nicolas Maduro won reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez leads a demonstration against the official election results that declared that President Nicolas Maduro won reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez ride atop a truck during a protest against official presidential election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez ride atop a truck during a protest against official presidential election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, two days after the vote. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, right, stands with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Petro arrived at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, right, stands with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Petro arrived at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

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Japan's exports hit record high, but trade deficit continues

2025-01-23 13:16 Last Updated At:13:21

TOKYO (AP) — Japan saw record-high exports last year, as its annual trade deficit declined 44% from the previous year, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday.

The trade deficit, which measures the value of exports minus imports, totaled 5.3 trillion yen ($34 billion), according to government data, as imports ballooned on the back of rising energy costs and growing inflation around the world.

Exports from the world’s third-largest economy totaled 107.9 trillion yen ($691 billion), surpassing the 100 trillion yen mark for the second-straight year, and the biggest value on record for comparable data, which dates back to 1979, the ministry said.

Some companies may have sped up their exports in anticipation of potential tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump has said he expects to put 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Feb. 1. During his campaign, he threatened to impose tariffs on imports from China, although details on that remain unclear.

For the month of December, exports gained a greater-than-expected 2.8% on-year, while imports rose 1.8%. Exports grew to Asian and European nations, while dipping slightly to the U.S.

Imports grew most from India, Hong Kong and Iran.

Demand was especially strong for Japan's vehicles, semiconductors and other machinery.

The weakening yen, another recent trend, has the effect of inflating the value of imports. The U.S. dollar has been hovering at 150-yen levels, sometimes surpassing 160 yen, over the past year, while a year ago it was often at 140-yen levels.

Japan has recorded a trade deficit for four straight years, but last year's deficit was considerably smaller than the 9.5 trillion yen deficit for 2023.

FILE - Cars for export are parked at a port in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

FILE - Cars for export are parked at a port in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

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