Abstract
The 2024 Venezuelan presidential election illustrates how authoritarian regimes can undermine democracy while preserving the appearance of constitutional governance. This Article examines the historical and legal developments that culminated in the contested election, analyzes violations of Venezuela's domestic electoral framework and international legal obligations, and evaluates the international response, including sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and multilateral action. It argues that Venezuela exposes a fundamental weakness in international law: although global institutions strongly endorse democratic governance, they lack effective enforcement mechanisms to respond to electoral authoritarianism. The Article concludes by proposing institutional reforms to strengthen international accountability and protect democratic integrity.