WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States (US) referred to Venezuelan opposition politician Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the country’s “rightful president”, Washington’s latest rejection of leader Nicolas Maduro’s third term.
Gonzalez Urrutia, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and top US diplomat Marco Rubio spoke in a phone call where Rubio “reaffirmed the US’ support for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela as well as the immediate release of all political prisoners,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
In the statement, the State Department referred to the now-exiled Gonzalez Urrutia as “the rightful president of Venezuela”.
The US, European Union and several of Venezuela’s neighbours have refused to recognise Maduro’s claim to have won re-election to a third six-year term in last year’s polls.
