US Recognizes Edmundo González as Venezuela's President-Elect

The U.S. government has officially recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González as the 'president-elect' following a controversial election where President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to respect the will of Venezuelan voters, citing that González received the most votes, as verified by opposition data from 80% of voting machines. González, who fled to Spain after facing threats from the Maduro regime, expressed gratitude for the recognition, calling it a testament to the desire for change among Venezuelans. The Maduro administration, characterized by a lack of transparency and loyalty to the president, has faced international scrutiny over the election results. Recently, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro retracted his initial support for the election, calling it a 'mistake', further complicating Maduro's standing. This recognition marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Venezuela amid ongoing political tensions.