Venezuela cuts off relations with South American country
Venezuela has severed its diplomatic relationship with Paraguay following a meeting between the Paraguayan president and opposition leaders, during which he publicly expressed his support for them. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Paraguay’s president has shown support for the opposition in Caracas following President Nicolas Maduro’s election victory, leading to a diplomatic rift between the two nations.
Venezuela has severed its diplomatic ties with Paraguay after President Santiago Pena publicly endorsed the exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez, declaring him the legitimate winner of last year’s presidential elections.
Venezuelan electoral authorities report that President Nicolas Maduro defeated Gonzalez in the presidential vote held last July. However, the opposition and many Western nations argue that the election was fraudulent, exerting pressure on Maduro to step down.
On Sunday, President Pena met with Venezuelan opposition leaders and proclaimed Gonzalez as the rightful election victor. He pledged to collaborate with the international community to "contribute to the prompt restoration of democracy in Venezuela."
In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto stated on Monday that Caracas had decided "in full exercise of its sovereignty, to break diplomatic relations with the Republic of Paraguay and proceed with the immediate withdrawal of its accredited diplomatic personnel in that country."
The Venezuelan statement further expressed, “It is deplorable that governments like the Paraguayan [one] keep subordinating their foreign policies to the interests of foreign power,” and accused Pena of “promoting agendas destined to undermine democratic principles and the will of free people.”
Maduro is set to be inaugurated for his third six-year term as president on Friday.
In late July last year, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council announced Maduro as the election winner, securing nearly 52% of the vote. Gonzalez disputes this outcome, claiming that tally sheets support his assertion of winning 67% of the vote.
Support for Gonzalez's claim has come from the US, the EU, and several other countries. In contrast, nations like Russia and China have recognized the official results, affirming Maduro's presidency.
Last year, Gonzalez was granted safe passage to exit Venezuela despite an outstanding arrest warrant and fled to Spain. He has vowed to return by January 10 to be inaugurated as president.
Maduro first assumed office in 2013 after the passing of President Hugo Chavez. His prior reelection in 2018 faced rejection from the US, the EU, and several Latin American countries.
Following the 2018 elections, the US and EU recognized lawmaker Juan Guaido as the "interim president." The US took measures such as confiscating Venezuelan gold and assets to support Guaido. However, the Venezuelan opposition voted to dissolve Guaido's "interim government" in December 2022, leading to his reduced visibility.
In January 2019, shortly after Guaido declared himself interim president, Paraguay quickly recognized him as Venezuela's legitimate leader, subsequently supporting sanctions and cutting formal diplomatic relations with Caracas. In 2023, both nations announced the restoration of diplomatic and consular relations.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Venezuela has severed its diplomatic ties with Paraguay after President Santiago Pena publicly endorsed the exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez, declaring him the legitimate winner of last year’s presidential elections.
Venezuelan electoral authorities report that President Nicolas Maduro defeated Gonzalez in the presidential vote held last July. However, the opposition and many Western nations argue that the election was fraudulent, exerting pressure on Maduro to step down.
On Sunday, President Pena met with Venezuelan opposition leaders and proclaimed Gonzalez as the rightful election victor. He pledged to collaborate with the international community to "contribute to the prompt restoration of democracy in Venezuela."
In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto stated on Monday that Caracas had decided "in full exercise of its sovereignty, to break diplomatic relations with the Republic of Paraguay and proceed with the immediate withdrawal of its accredited diplomatic personnel in that country."
The Venezuelan statement further expressed, “It is deplorable that governments like the Paraguayan [one] keep subordinating their foreign policies to the interests of foreign power,” and accused Pena of “promoting agendas destined to undermine democratic principles and the will of free people.”
Maduro is set to be inaugurated for his third six-year term as president on Friday.
In late July last year, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council announced Maduro as the election winner, securing nearly 52% of the vote. Gonzalez disputes this outcome, claiming that tally sheets support his assertion of winning 67% of the vote.
Support for Gonzalez's claim has come from the US, the EU, and several other countries. In contrast, nations like Russia and China have recognized the official results, affirming Maduro's presidency.
Last year, Gonzalez was granted safe passage to exit Venezuela despite an outstanding arrest warrant and fled to Spain. He has vowed to return by January 10 to be inaugurated as president.
Maduro first assumed office in 2013 after the passing of President Hugo Chavez. His prior reelection in 2018 faced rejection from the US, the EU, and several Latin American countries.
Following the 2018 elections, the US and EU recognized lawmaker Juan Guaido as the "interim president." The US took measures such as confiscating Venezuelan gold and assets to support Guaido. However, the Venezuelan opposition voted to dissolve Guaido's "interim government" in December 2022, leading to his reduced visibility.
In January 2019, shortly after Guaido declared himself interim president, Paraguay quickly recognized him as Venezuela's legitimate leader, subsequently supporting sanctions and cutting formal diplomatic relations with Caracas. In 2023, both nations announced the restoration of diplomatic and consular relations.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
