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The Venezuelan government, under President Nicolás Maduro, condemned the U.S. recognition of opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as “president-elect” of Venezuela. The designation follows the controversial July 28 elections, in which Maduro claimed re-election amid widespread international skepticism. Numerous countries, including the United States and members of the European Parliament, have refused to accept Maduro’s re-election, citing concerns over fairness and transparency.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil took to Telegram to express the government’s displeasure at recent comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on X (formerly Twitter). Blinken asserted that “the Venezuelan people spoke clearly on July 28 and elected Edmundo González as their president.” In response, Gil labeled Blinken an “enemy of Venezuela” and accused him of perpetuating U.S. imperialism and colonialist attitudes toward the country.
Gil’s rebuke also extended to Edmundo González, who has been living in exile in Spain since September 8. The Venezuelan government characterized González as a figure supported by “fascists and terrorists,” aligning him with U.S. foreign policy interests. Despite gaining recognition as “president-elect” from the European Parliament and several international bodies, González faces significant obstacles in asserting his claim. Key state institutions, including the National Electoral Council (CNE), continue to back Maduro’s presidency.
The U.S. administration, led by President Joe Biden, had acknowledged González’s electoral victory as early as August 1 but had refrained from using the term “president-elect” until now. The recent escalation marks a shift in diplomatic posture and reflects the broader geopolitical struggle over Venezuela’s political future.
In Venezuela, political divisions run deep. The National Electoral Council proclaimed Maduro’s re-election but has yet to release detailed voting results to substantiate its decision. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition, the Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD), presented its own evidence claiming González’s victory. The opposition has vowed to install González on January 10, 2025, the same day Maduro is slated to begin his next term. However, how the opposition plans to navigate this challenge remains unclear, given the loyalty of state institutions and the military to Maduro.
The international community is closely watching the unfolding situation, with major implications for Venezuela’s governance, its citizens, and regional stability. The conflict between the competing claims underscores the complexity of achieving a democratic resolution in the country
