The United States government said in a statement on Thursday that Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia beat socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro during the country’s recent presidential election.

The announcement comes after at least 17 protesters have been killed and hundreds more arrested so far in riots that have broken out over the country’s sham election.

More than 12 million Venezuelans voted during the election, which is run by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE).

WASHINGTON—The U.S. recognized the opponent to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the winner of that country’s disputed presidential election, increasing the pressure on the Venezuelan strongman to step down despite his claim of victory.

The announcement on Thursday by Secretary of State Antony Blinken is the latest escalation of rhetoric from Washington urging Maduro to step aside since last weekend, when polling data indicated he was trounced by his challenger, retired diplomat Edmundo González.

CARACAS — The United States on Thursday said opposition candidate Edmundo González defeated President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s presidential election and called for negotiations to ensure a peaceful transition of power. Maduro claims that he won Sunday’s vote. The opposition, meanwhile, says that the government’s own records, as well as independent exit polls, indicate that González won twice as many as votes.