President Maduro accuses opposition of plotting a “coup”, withdraws diplomatic representatives from 7 Latin American countries

On July 29, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry asked Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay to “immediately withdraw their representatives on the territory” of the South American country.

Venezuelan President Nicolas (right) celebrates his victory with supporters after the election results on July 28. (Source: Prensa Latina)

Radio Havana Cuba quoted a statement from Caracas saying the move was aimed at protesting “acts and statements of interference” related to the presidential election on July 28.

In an official announcement, Foreign Minister Yván Gil said that Caracas has also requested the withdrawal of all diplomatic officials at embassies in the seven Latin American countries mentioned above.

Mr. Gil affirmed that the Venezuelan government will “guarantee all legal and political actions to force respect, preserve and protect the inalienable right to self-determination” of the South American country.

Caracas “will confront any action that threatens the atmosphere of peace and coexistence for which the Venezuelan people have worked so hard.”

Earlier the same day, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council announced that President Nicolas Maduro had won the election the day before, continuing to hold the position of national leader for another 6-year term from 2025-2031.

Also related to the election situation in the South American country, Al Mayadeen news agency quoted President Maduro as denouncing that there is a plot to "impose a coup" in the country, after the opposition rejected the election results on July 28, with Mr. Maduro re-elected for another 6-year term, starting in January 2025.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of involvement in a plot to attack the country's vote counting system.

Speaking to reporters, Attorney General Saab confirmed that his agency is investigating the cyber attack and the main suspects are opposition politicians, including Ms. Machado.

After the election in Venezuela, countries sent congratulations to the victory of incumbent President Maduro.

In a statement on the X website on July 29, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Cane said that on behalf of the Cuban party, government and people, he sent warm congratulations to Mr. Maduro on the "historic victory."

From Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated Mr. Maduro on his re-election, emphasizing the strategic partnership between the two countries, and affirming his readiness to cooperate with the Venezuelan leader on bilateral and international issues.

On the same day, at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian congratulated Venezuela on the success of the election and Maduro's re-election, affirming that China is "willing to enrich the strategic partnership" between the two countries.

Preliminary vote count results from the Venezuelan National Electoral Council showed that incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, 61 years old, was re-elected president for the 2025-2031 term, with 51.2% of the vote in favor.

Meanwhile, opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, representing the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), a coalition bringing together liberals, Christian socialists, socialists and conservatives, won 44.2% of the vote.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/venezuela-president-maduro-to-form-a-political-party-to-retreat-to-the-diplomatic-representative-in-7-countries-of-the-latin-280643.html