Introduction
In the complex landscape of Venezuela’s electoral processes, one company stands out due to its pivotal role and the controversies surrounding it—ExClé S.A. Founded in Portugal, ExClé has been instrumental in managing Venezuela’s voting systems since 2017, succeeding Smartmatic, which distanced itself from the Venezuelan electoral authority due to discrepancies in reported election results. This article delves into ExClé’s history, its involvement in Venezuelan elections, and the controversies that have emerged, including sanctions imposed by the U.S. and allegations of electoral fraud.
The Genesis of ExClé S.A.
Origins and Expansion
ExClé S.A., a technology company originally from Portugal, was established with a focus on providing biometric systems and technology solutions. Since its inception, the company has expanded its operations beyond Portugal to several Latin American countries, including Venezuela.
In 2004, ExClé expanded its operations by opening an office in Caracas, Venezuela. This move marked a significant diversification of its business as it began to secure contracts with various companies and government entities within the country. The company’s primary focus in Venezuela has been on biometric systems and voting technology, essential components for managing electoral processes and identity verification.
Early Projects and Achievements
ExClé’s engagement in Venezuela began with notable projects. In 2009, the company developed and implemented a tax collection system for the Libertador Municipality. This project showcased ExClé’s ability to handle complex government contracts and highlighted its growing role in Venezuelan public administration.
One of the most significant contributions of ExClé was in 2011 and 2012 when it managed a crucial biometric project. The company was responsible for the validation of the identities of 19 million voters eligible for the presidential election held on October 7, 2012, which was Hugo Chávez’s last election before his death.
The platform, known as the Integrated Citizens Authentication Platform, features a database capable of handling biometric data, including ten fingerprints and facial recognition. Its capacity for comparison is impressive, exceeding 100 million comparisons per second, which is critical for ensuring the accuracy and security of the electoral process.
Since 2013, ExClé has also provided biometric technology consulting services to the Bank of Venezuela, which has reportedly helped in preventing identity-related fraud.
Controversies and Sanctions
The Smartmatic Departure
The relationship between ExClé and the Venezuelan electoral system began after Smartmatic, a previous provider, distanced itself from the Venezuelan elections. In September 2017, Smartmatic’s CEO, Antonio Mugica, revealed a significant discrepancy between the government-announced voter turnout and the data from their system. Smartmatic estimated a discrepancy of at least one million voters, which led to the company’s decision to sever ties with the Venezuelan government.
The departure of Smartmatic opened the door for ExClé to take over the management of Venezuela’s voting technology. Despite this transition, concerns about the integrity of the electoral process continued to be a significant issue.
U.S. Sanctions Against ExClé
In 2020, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on ExClé S.A. The sanctions were announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in response to ExClé’s alleged role in supporting Nicolás Maduro’s regime during the controversial legislative elections held on December 6, 2020.
According to OFAC, ExClé was sanctioned for materially supporting Maduro’s regime, including providing goods and services used to conduct the elections, which were deemed fraudulent. The sanctions targeted ExClé’s founder and executive, Guillermo Carlos San Agustín, and Marcos Javier Machado Requena, who represented the company in Venezuela.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin stated that the sanctions were part of a broader effort to challenge the Maduro regime and its attempts to undermine democratic processes in Venezuela. Mnuchin emphasized the commitment of the U.S. to address actions that obstruct free and fair elections and deny the Venezuelan people their democratic rights.
ExClé’s Management of Saime
In 2022, ExClé assumed control of the information system for the Administrative Service of Identification, Migration, and Foreigners (Saime) in Venezuela. This transition followed irregularities with the previous service provider, Albet Ingeniería y Sistemas, a Cuban company that had been contracted since 2011.
The change in providers reportedly caused friction, particularly with Albet Ingeniería y Sistemas, which had only acted as an intermediary by subcontracting other technology firms. ExClé’s takeover also stirred discontent among some officials who allegedly had lucrative dealings in the issuance of passports and document processing.
During the installation of the new system, there were claims of internal sabotage, causing delays. The Saime website experienced outages, and the process, which was supposed to be completed in 72 hours, extended to a month. The authorities eventually informed users about the situation weeks after the issues began.
Allegations of Electoral Fraud
In 2021, the Permanent Commission of the National Assembly of Venezuela, elected in 2015, presented a report accusing ExClé of facilitating fraudulent electoral processes in Venezuela. The report, coordinated by Guillermo Palacios of the UNT party, highlighted that ExClé had been involved in manipulating electoral processes since 2004 through its biometric technology.
The report accused ExClé of contributing to the establishment of a dictatorial regime by enabling irregular elections, such as the 2018 presidential election and the National Constituent Assembly. Palacios criticized ExClé’s involvement in the creation of the “Patria” card and various public sector banking data systems, alleging conflicts of interest and manipulation.
The report noted that ExClé had been responsible for verifying over 19 million voters, emphasizing that duplications in the electoral registry had led to over 35 million voters being recorded, suggesting potential for electoral manipulation.
The Impact of ExClé’s Involvement
The Role of Technology in Elections
ExClé’s involvement in Venezuela highlights the significant role technology plays in modern electoral processes. Biometric systems are essential for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of voter identification and participation. However, the effectiveness of these systems is contingent upon their implementation and the transparency of the electoral process.
The controversies surrounding ExClé emphasize the importance of independent verification and scrutiny in the management of voting systems. Ensuring that technology providers adhere to high standards of integrity and transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust in electoral outcomes.
International Reactions and Implications
The international community’s reactions to ExClé’s involvement and the allegations of fraud reflect broader concerns about democratic processes and the role of technology in elections. Sanctions and criticisms from various countries underscore the importance of holding accountable those who contribute to undermining democratic practices.
The impact of these controversies extends beyond Venezuela, influencing perceptions of electoral technology providers and their role in supporting democratic values. The scrutiny faced by ExClé serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in electoral processes.
Conclusion
ExClé S.A.’s role in Venezuela’s electoral system has been marked by significant achievements and serious controversies. As a key provider of biometric and voting technology, the company has played a crucial role in managing electoral processes. However, its involvement has also been tainted by allegations of fraud and sanctions imposed by the U.S. government.
The complexities surrounding ExClé’s operations highlight the critical importance of transparency, accountability, and integrity in electoral processes. As Venezuela continues to navigate its political and electoral challenges, the role of technology providers and the international community will remain pivotal in ensuring fair and democratic elections.
