Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia This Tuesday, he thanked the United States for its recognition as elected president of Venezuela and affirmed that this decision recognizes the “sovereign will” of the Venezuelans and “honors” the desire for change in his country.
This Tuesday, for the first time in public, the United States recognized the former presidential candidate of the Venezuelan opposition as the country’s elected leader after the elections last July 28.
“We deeply appreciate the recognition of the sovereign will of all Venezuelans. “This gesture honors the desire of our people for change and the civic feat that together we carried out on July 28.”wrote González Urrutia on his social network account X.
Joe Biden’s administration recognized González Urrutia as the winner of the elections on August 1, but had until now avoided declaring him “president-elect” of Venezuela.
“The Venezuelan people spoke out forcefully on July 28 and named Edmundo González as president-elect. “Democracy demands respect for the will of the voters.”Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on social media.
This is the first time that the United States uses the term “president-elect” to refer to Edmundo González Urrutia, confirmed a senior Administration official.
The reason why the Biden Administration has decided to use this term is related to the imminence of the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro for a third term, which is scheduled for January 10.
According to this source, this designation does not imply that the United States recognizes González Urrutia as Venezuelan president, but it does emphasize its position of considering him the winner of the elections.
Washington’s recognition comes after the European Parliament distinguished, on October 24, Edmundo González and the opposition leader María Corina Machado with the Sakharov Prize 2024which recognizes human rights, especially those of thought and expression.
After the elections held in Venezuela last July, the National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed the reelection of Nicolás Maduro as president but did not publish the minutes with the disaggregated results of the elections.
The Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), the country’s main opposition coalition, presented some minutes that give victory to its candidate, González Urrutiawho since September has been exiled in Spain denouncing persecution by the Venezuelan authorities.
(With information from EFE)
