Originally published at National Catholic Register
To date, various countries around the world have recognized González as the president legitimately elected by all Venezuelans.
On Friday, Jan. 10, according to Venezuelan law, the new president of the republic who won the July 28, 2024, election for the 2025–2031 term must be sworn in.
While the country’s National Electoral Council certified incumbent President Nicholas Maduro as the winner, it failed to produce the vote tallies as required by law to substantiate the results. Meanwhile opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia claimed a landslide victory and said his campaign had collected 80% of the vote tallies to prove it.
To date, various countries around the world have recognized González as the president legitimately elected by all Venezuelans.
In the midst of the complicated political and social scenario, Caracas Archbishop Raúl Biord called for “respect for human and citizen rights” during the inauguration of the 2025 Jubilee Year in Caracas on Jan. 6.
The prelate asked that political actors guarantee, in a democratic framework, “freedom of thought, expression, and social action, and for the end of all forms of intimidation and hatred, wherever it may come from.”
The message from the archbishop of Caracas follows those issued by the
