U.S. Secretary of State "Venezuela opposition candidate is president-elect"

The U.S. government has said it recognizes opposition candidate Edmundo González as the president-elect in connection with Venezuela's presidential election in July over allegations of fraudulent elections.

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken wrote on social media on the 19th local time, "The Venezuelan people elected González with a clear voice on July 28."

"Democracy demands respect for the will of the electorate," he added.

The Biden administration said earlier that González received the most votes in the presidential election, but this is the first time the AP has identified him as the president-elect.

González, who fled to Spain to avoid the threat of arrest by Venezuelan authorities, said shortly after Blinken's post was posted that he was "grateful for recognizing the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people."

Earlier, the pro-ruling Venezuelan election commission confirmed President Nicolas Maduro's election by disclosing the vote share twice.

But Venezuelan opposition parties declared González elected president with 67% to 30% of the vote based on the results of their own vote count.

Venezuela's next presidential term will begin on January 10 next year.