WASHINGTON

The US on Tuesday recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the "president-elect" of the South American country, marking the first acknowledgement since the July election in which President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a X post that the Venezuelan people "spoke resoundingly" on July 28 and made Gonzalez the "president-elect."

"Democracy demands respect for the will of the voters," he added.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil reacted to Blinken's statement in a message on Telegram, calling him a "sworn enemy of Venezuela.”

"The US insists on pursuing the same policies as before, just as it did with (former Venezuelan opposition leader) Juan Guaido," he said, referencing Washington's support for the then National Assembly Speaker in 2019.

The statement came amid ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela following the opposition’s claim of victory in the July 28 election while Venezuela’s Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner.

Protests have erupted nationwide, with opposition leaders demanding transparency and the release of detailed vote tally data. Several countries in the region and beyond have also refused to recognize the results, saying they will only do so if the electoral records are verified transparently.

The Biden administration’s recognition of Gonzalez adds to international pressure on Maduro as Venezuela approaches the start of its next presidential term on Jan. 10.