07.01.2025 09:21
Venezuela and Paraguay announced that they have severed diplomatic relations due to disagreements regarding the opposition coalition's presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez. The Paraguayan government requested that Venezuela's ambassador to Asuncion and its diplomatic staff leave the country within 48 hours.
After Paraguay announced that it recognized Gonzalez as the winner of the presidential election on July 28, 2024, Venezuela announced that it had severed diplomatic relations with this country.
STATEMENT FROM FOREIGN MINISTER GIL
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stated in a message on his Telegram account, "Venezuela categorically rejects Paraguay's statements. It is regrettable that governments like Paraguay's continue to subject their foreign policies to the interests of foreign powers. We do not support such agendas that undermine democratic principles and the will of free peoples. Venezuela has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Paraguay and to immediately withdraw its accredited diplomatic personnel from that country."
PARAGUAY ALSO CUT DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
The Paraguayan government also announced that it had terminated diplomatic relations with Venezuela. The government requested the Venezuelan ambassador to Asuncion and diplomatic personnel to leave the country within 48 hours.
The statement included, "Paraguay reaffirms its unequivocal support for the right of the Venezuelan people to live in a democracy, in a state based on the rule of law, with absolute respect for their fundamental freedoms and guarantees." Paraguayan President Santiago Pena had expressed his country's support in a recent phone call with Gonzalez and stated that they considered him the winner of the July 28 elections.
MADURO HAD WON FOR THE THIRD TIME
According to the results announced by the National Electoral Council on July 29, 2024, Nicolas Maduro had won the presidential election for the third time with 51.20% of the votes. The opposition coalition candidate Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado rejected the election results. After a warrant for his arrest was issued, Gonzalez flew from Caracas to Madrid with his wife on a Spanish Air Force plane on September 8.