Venezuelan Government Rejects EU’s Recognition of Opposition Leader as Election Winner

Venezuelan Government Rejects EU’s Recognition of Opposition Leader as Election Winner

The Venezuelan government on Thursday dismissed a non-binding resolution passed by the European Parliament, which recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the rightful president of Venezuela. In response, the country’s National Assembly, controlled by the government, approved a measure to denounce the EU Parliament’s decision.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted 309 in favor, 201 against, with 12 abstentions, declaring González “the legitimate and democratically elected President of Venezuela.” This followed a contested presidential election held in July, where the opposition claimed victory.

Despite the opposition’s assertion, the National Electoral Council, viewed as aligned with the sitting government, declared Nicolás Maduro the winner. Maduro likened the EU’s move to its past support for former opposition leader Juan Guiado.

The EU vote came a day after González revealed that he had been pressured by government officials into signing a letter acknowledging his defeat to secure permission to leave the country. His recent arrival in Spain has escalated tensions between Madrid and Caracas, with National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez urging Venezuela to sever diplomatic and commercial ties with Spain.