Argentina recognizes Edmundo Gonzalez as president-elect of Venezuela

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA)—Five days after President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected in the general elections in Venezuela, Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the president-elect of Venezuela on Friday.

Through her X account, Mondino supported Gonzalez Urrutia and denied the results presented by the Electoral Council of Venezuela, which gave Maduro the victory with more than 51% of the votes.

The foreign minister quoted a website showing 81% of digital certificates giving the opposition bloc a 67% victory against 30% amassed by Maduro.

"We can all confirm, without any doubt, that the legitimate winner and President-elect is Edmundo Gonzalez," wrote Mondino on X.

Argentina's announcement comes one day after the US government recognized Gonzalez as Venezuela's legitimate president.

On Thursday night, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced US government support for Venezuela's opposition, rejecting Maduro's contested victory.

"Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela's July 28 presidential election," he said.

Argentina and the United States join Peru in the list of countries that recognize Gonzalez as the president of Venezuela.

Since July 30, Peru became the first country to recognize Gonzalez Urrutia as president. Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea expressed his support in a letter to opposition bloc leader Marina Corina Machado.

Argentina was among the first countries to reject Maduro's victory and denounce the alleged fraud that had taken place during the elections on July 28.