Which countries recognize Maduro as president-elect?

CNN Español
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The controversial results of the presidential elections in Venezuela caused division between the countries that question the official results that gave Nicolás Maduro the winner, those that recognized his victory to begin a third term and the countries that were waiting for evidence of the vote to establish their position. .

The National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Maduro the winner with 51.20% of the votes without having until now published the results broken down by table and voting center. The Venezuelan opposition majority grouped in the Democratic Unitary Platform collected the minutes printed by the CNE and assured that González triumphed by a large majority.

CNN verified the minutes provided by the opposition and determined that they are authentic. The Maduro Government maintains that they are false.

In the midst of the controversy, and just two days before the start of a new government period, more than 20 countries have recognized Maduro as president-elect and have expressed their confidence in the role he will play.

Nicaragua

President Daniel Ortega recognized the triumph of Nicolás Maduro and even offered his support in the event of an “armed counterrevolution,” assuring him that if “a battle were to come, they (the Nicaraguan government) will have Sandinista combatants accompanying them.”

Bolivia

Luis Arce, president of the country, extended his congratulations to Maduro for “the electoral victory” and celebrated that “the will of the Venezuelan people has been respected at the polls.” Arce said that Bolivia will continue to strengthen ties of friendship with Venezuela.

Cuba

Miguel Díaz-Canel congratulated Maduro for his “historic victory.” The Cuban president highlighted “the dignity and value of the Venezuelan people over pressures and manipulations” and pointed out that “the Bolivarian people […] “He cleanly defeated the pro-imperialist opposition unequivocally.”

Honduras

President Xiomara Castro congratulated Maduro for what she described as his “unobjectionable triumph that reaffirms his sovereignty.” However, the president announced that she will not attend the president’s inauguration, although it is possible that she will send a delegation in her place, the country’s vice chancellor, Gerardo Torres, told local media.

Russia

Vladimir Putin joined the leaders who congratulated Maduro on his controversial re-election. Last December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed his support for Maduro on the eve of his inauguration on January 10.

China

Xi Jinping’s government recognized the electoral process in Venezuela and congratulated Maduro on his re-election. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that China and Venezuela are friends and partners who support each other.

Equatorial Guinea

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo congratulated Maduro on his re-election and expressed his willingness to “maintain and strengthen the relations of friendship and cooperation” between both countries.

Türkiye

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, president of the country, supported the efforts of the Venezuelan authorities in validating the results that gave Maduro the winner and extended congratulations to the Venezuelan people after the elections, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil reported in X.

Laos

The government of Thongloun Sisoulith extended its congratulations to Maduro and indicated its confidence in his “extensive experience and knowledge” to achieve “the development of the country for the prosperity of the Venezuelan people.”

Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recognized Maduro’s victory in the elections and expressed his interest in expanding cooperation between both countries for mutual benefit.

Other countries that recognize Maduro as president-elect are:

The Brazilian government plans to send its ambassador in Caracas, Glivânia Maria de Oliveira, to Maduro’s inauguration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the local press.

The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, reported in December that she will send a diplomatic representation to the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro. Mexico had maintained a neutral stance following Venezuela’s election results, stating that it remained attentive to the results.

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, confirmed this Thursday in X that he will not attend Maduro’s inauguration. Although his government does not recognize the result of the elections, it ruled out the breakdown of relations and will send its ambassador in Caracas, Milton Rengifo, to the ceremony, as confirmed to the EFE agency by three sources from the presidency of that country.