Venezuela announced the break of diplomatic relations with Paraguay after Paraguayan President Santiago Peña refused to recognize Nicolás Maduro’s victory in the presidential election and congratulated opposition candidate Edmundo González on his victory, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil announced on his Telegram channel.
Gil sharply criticized Peña’s statement, calling it a violation of international law and the principle of non-interference.
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the statements of the President of Paraguay, who is repeating a failed practice that resembles the political fantasies of the Lima Group,” Gil said.
According to official figures from the electoral commission, incumbent President Nicolás Maduro won 51.2% of the vote in the July 28 presidential election, while his opponent from the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), Edmundo González, won 44%. However, the opposition claims that their candidate actually won about 70%.
International observers were not allowed to monitor the election process, raising concerns about the transparency of the vote. After the results were announced, spontaneous protests broke out in the country, with participants accusing the authorities of falsifying the results.
The situation is reminiscent of the political crisis of 2018, when, after Maduro’s controversial re-election, the opposition proclaimed Juan Guaidó, who was recognized by the United States and several other Western countries, as interim president.
Maduro has ruled Venezuela since 2013. This is the third presidential term he is seeking, despite opposition accusations of the undemocratic nature of his rule.
As previously reported, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the day before that Ukraine was preparing to restore diplomatic relations with Syria and double trade with Lebanon.
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