Venezuela's opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia thanked the U.S. on Friday for recognizing him as the official winner of Sunday's controversial presidential election, in which both González Urrutia and President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory.
"Those tally sheets indicate that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes in this election by an insurmountable margin," Blinken said in a statement Thursday.
"Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won."
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, center left, and opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González, center right, greet supporters at a protest against the result of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday.
The controversy over the election results is fueling fears of increased protests and violence amid the international debate and lack of consensus.
Persons:
Edmundo González Urrutia, González Urrutia, Nicolás Maduro, Antony Blinken, Maduro, Blinken, González, Maduro's, María Corina Machado, Machado, Maria Corina Machado, Edmundo González, Jesus Vargas, “, Venezuela’s, it's, Freddy Superlano
Organizations:
United, NBC, Electoral Council, Associated Press, Venezuelan, Pro
Locations:
U.S, United States, Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Vente Venezuela, Caracas Saturday, Caracas, Maduro, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuelan