Argentina denounces 'persecution' of Venezuela opposition, backs González as winner
Argentina also asks for observance of diplomatic regulations.
Argentina confirmed on Wednesday its acknowledgement of Edmundo González Urrutia as the “undisputed winner” of the presidential election in Venezuela and condemned the charges and “arbitrary arrest” of members of the opposition, in a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry.
“The Argentine Republic, as anticipated in the official press release issued on August 2, unequivocally concludes that the undisputed winner of the presidential election which took place in Venezuela on July 28 is Edmundo González Urrutia," the document reads.
The press release further “condemns the criminal charges against the winning presidential candidate and the main leader of the opposition, as well as the arbitrary arrest of important figures from opposing political parties, journalists and press workers."
On Friday, Foreign minister Diana Mondino had declared on her X account González Urrutia as “the legitimate winner and President elect,” echoing the position of the top US diplomat Antony Blinken.
Hours after Mondino’s post, Argentina's Foreign Minisry stated in a press release that Milei’s government “is following very closely and with concern the events in Venezuela in order to express a final opinion” on the matter, which happened on Wednesday.
Venezuela’s CNE National Electoral Council proclaimed Maduro the President re-elect for a third term, with 51 percent of the votes as against González Urrutia’s 44 percent.
The opposition holds that it has copies of over 80 percent of the records and that González Urrutia got 67 percent of the votes.
The Argentine stance earned the country the expulsion of its diplomatic staff from Venezuela, who had to leave the Embassy in Caracas on Thursday, where it was housing six Venezuelan opponents as refugees.
Brazil took over custody of the Argentine see and the protection of the refugees, as well as the protection of the Peruvian embassy, after Venezuela broke diplomatic relations with that country on Tuesday.
– TIMES/AFP