caracas president nicolas maduro defend venezuela secure election system tuesday opponents struggle present unite front allegations fraud nationwide vote surprisingly rule socialists despite widespread anger economic hardship socialist party confound opinion poll take 17 23 governorships sunday election stun defeat undermine aim win presidency 2018 opposition democratic unity coalition refuse acknowledge result call election rig unite state though coalition complain unfair play field abuse state resources last-minute move vote center away opposition strongholds give detail evidence ballot-tampering opposition figure acknowledge abstention supporters disillusion failure street protest dislodge maduro early year big factor two lose opposition candidates henri falcon lara state alejandro feo la cruz carabobo concede defeat break official coalition position criticize irregularities vote also lament many demoralize opposition supporters stay home need courage recognize truth adversity say falcon strong criticism sunday vote come washington slam maduro dictatorship several european nations also express concern 12 countries americas so-called lima group condemn obstacles intimidation manipulation irregularities washington consider sanction venezuela various measure top officials economy early year european union mull government leaders smart fraud accusations venezuela election system secure audit world maduro say tuesday president donald trump dictator humble worker ... moustache look like stalin him venezuelan leader invite eu foreign policy chief federica mogherini visit receive brussels open eye tell stupid canada stop meddle foreign minister jorge arreaza late say twitter maduro recall venezuela ambassador canada talk heap humiliation venezuela opposition governors due swear tuesday new legislative superbody elect controversially july opposition boycott vote refuse recognize entirely pro-government constituent assembly supersede institutions include opposition-controlled congress opposition five governors-elect plan boycott swearing-in ceremony defy maduro threat bar office fail accept assembly high authority kneel anyone say juan pablo guanipa oil-rich western zulia state despite food shortages runaway inflation tank currency venezuela government retain significant bastions support especially poor rural part country news conference maduro say socialists also bolivar state would take total 18 governorships versus five opposition government total 54 percent vote overall add election board confirm bolivar result overall vote figure opposition coalition dozens party argue whether fraud go wrong go next need regroup map strategy quickly head 2018 presidential campaign future may even doubt since many young activists take streets four straight months protest pitch battle security force early year feel betray leaders unrest kill least 125 people maduro long accuse opposition leaders behind violence tuesday call new opposition governor zulia state fascist accuse counterpart tachira link colombian paramilitaries election aftermath appear sink government-opposition mediation effort begin last month dominican republic even though maduro want resuscitate talk opposition coalition rule majority dictatorship more-and-more illegitimate popular global condemnation grow daily regime say communique late monday venezuela 's maduro defend dispute vote opposition divide