Maduro congratulated by China after claiming victory in contested Venezuelan election
- Beijing joined Russia, Cuba, Iran and Nicaragua in lauding the Venezuelan leader; the US and other nations express concerns about the vote’s legitimacy
China congratulated Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday after he claimed victory in an election contested by the opposition and other South American nations, which allege fraud.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said “the results that have been released by Venezuelan electoral authorities to date do not reflect the will or the votes of the people”.
The National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) announced on Monday morning that after counting more than 80 per cent of the votes, Maduro received 51.2 per cent, while the main opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, secured 44.2 per cent.
The trend towards victory for Maduro, seeking a third term in office, was therefore “irreversible,” said Elvis Amoroso, president of the CNE and a Maduro ally.
China was one of the first countries to laud Maduro.
“China congratulates Venezuela on the smooth presidential election and congratulates President Nicolas Maduro on his successful re-election. China and Venezuela are good friends and partners who support each other,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.
