Canada and Trump Recognize Edmundo González as Venezuela's President-elect Amid Protests and Detention of Opposition Leader

Jan 9, 2025, 11:09 PM

Canada has officially recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as the President-elect of Venezuela, reaffirming its support for the Venezuelan opposition. The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, confirmed the recognition following Venezuela's presidential elections held on July 28. Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump also recognized González Urrutia as Venezuela's President-elect, emphasizing that the Venezuelan-American community overwhelmingly supports a free Venezuela. Trump's statements on Truth Social came after the brief detention and subsequent release of opposition leader and democracy activist Maria Corina Machado on January 9, 2025, by forces loyal to President Nicolás Maduro. Trump warned that these "freedom fighters should not be harmed and must stay safe and alive", expressing support for the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans demonstrating against the Maduro regime. Edmundo González Urrutia expressed gratitude to Trump for his support, acknowledging the U.S. backing for their cause.