Tue Nov 19 22:16:51 UTC 2024: ## US Recognizes Venezuelan Opposition Leader as President-Elect

**CARACAS, Venezuela –** The United States has officially recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González as the country’s president-elect, months after President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in a disputed July election. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the recognition on Tuesday, November 19th, demanding respect for the Venezuelan people’s will.

While the Biden administration previously stated that González received the most votes, this marks the first official acknowledgment of him as president-elect. This decision comes after the opposition coalition released tally sheets from 80% of voting machines, which they claim show González winning by a significant margin. The Venezuelan National Electoral Council, controlled by Maduro loyalists, had declared Maduro the winner without releasing detailed vote counts.

González, who has since gone into exile in Spain following an arrest warrant, expressed gratitude for the U.S. recognition. He lauded the action as an affirmation of the Venezuelan people’s desire for change.

Adding to the international pressure on Maduro, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who initially supported the July elections, now calls them a “mistake,” stating they were not free. Mr. Petro’s reversal of his position further undermines the legitimacy of Maduro’s claim to the presidency.

The Venezuelan government has yet to respond to the U.S. recognition. González’s term is scheduled to begin on January 10, 2025, setting the stage for a potential power struggle in the coming weeks.

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