Blinken calls Venezuelan opposition in show of support ahead of Maduro's inauguration

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the "resilience" of Venezuela’s democratic opposition during a call with Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, the State Department said Monday.

In a statement issued by spokesperson Matthew Miller after the call, Gonzalez was recognized as Venezuela's "President-elect".

According to the statement, Blinken "commended the democratic opposition’s resilience and the Venezuelan people’s commitment to democracy in the face of repression and adversity.”

He also reiterated the US stands in solidarity with international community in expressing condemnation of Nicolas Maduro’s "anti-democratic actions".

"Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the ballot box, the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela, and the release of all unjustly detained political prisoners," Miller added.

The call came amid heightened political tensions in Venezuela as Maduro plans to his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 10 for the 2025-2031 presidential term.

The opposition has claimed victory in the July 28 election, while Venezuela’s Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner.

The Biden administration’s recognition of Gonzalez as president-elect has further intensified international pressure on Maduro's regime.