Nicolas Maduro was proclaimed the victor of Venezuela`s presidential election on Sunday, despite the opposition`s preparations to challenge the results. The outcome sets the stage for a critical showdown that might determine the South American country`s future political environment.

Just after midnight, the National Electoral Council announced that Maduro had won 51 per cent of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Edmundo González, who received 44 per cent. These findings were based on 80 per cent of voting stations, demonstrating an irreversible trend, reported the Associated Press.