Venezuelans Await Results in Tense Presidential Election

CARACAS—Venezuelans were awaiting results late on Sunday in the most consequential election in a quarter-century of socialist party rule, with the opposition saying they believed there were “reasons to celebrate” but asking supporters to continue monitoring vote counts. Government officials also cheered the vote, with Jorge Rodriguez, a ruling party lawmaker and the head of its campaign, saying on state television: “Love won.” In the run-up to Sunday’s election, President Nicolas Maduro had expressed confidence that he would secure a third term in office even as it was clear that the opposition had attracted impassioned support. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been the star of the coalition campaign, despite a ban on her holding public office that forced her to pass the torch to candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old ex-diplomat known for his calm demeanor....