Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has secured a third term, receiving 51% of the vote and defeating his rival Edmundo Gonzalez, who garnered 44%.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel congratulated Maduro on his "historic" victory. "I spoke with brother Nicolas Maduro to convey warm congratulations on behalf of the party, the government, and the Cuban people for the historic electoral triumph achieved, after an impressive showing by the Venezuelan people," Diaz-Canel wrote on social media platform X. He emphasized that Maduro's victory "cleanly and unequivocally defeated the pro-imperialist opposition."

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo sent a message to President Maduro, celebrating "the great victory achieved by this heroic people for the eternal leader on his birthday," referring to the 70th anniversary of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez's birth.

Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce also extended his congratulations, stating, "We have closely followed this democratic festival and we welcome the fact that the will of the Venezuelan people at the polls has been respected." Arce expressed his intention to continue strengthening ties of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity with Venezuela.

Former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa hailed Venezuela's victory as a reflection of a strong commitment to building a 21st-century coalition, saying, "Glory to the brave people."

Russian Ambassador to Venezuela, Sergey Bogdansarov, remarked that Maduro's victory would bolster Venezuela's global standing and confirmed Russia's commitment to developing strategic partnerships with Caracas. Bogdansarov asserted that the election results "can be considered credible," contributing to the enhancement of Venezuela's position in the emerging multipolar world.

Similarly, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani congratulated Venezuela on successfully conducting the presidential elections. He noted that the elections were held with popular participation and under the supervision of international observers, despite external threats and sanctions. Kanaani reaffirmed Iran's support for Venezuela's national development programs and bilateral cooperation. (ILKHA)