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State Duma speaker to represent Russia at inauguration in Venezuela — foreign ministry

On July 28, Venezuela held its presidential election

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russia's State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin will represent Russia at the inauguration of Venezuela's President-elect Nicolas Maduro on January 10, the Russian Foreign Ministry told reporters.

"By order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, State Duma [the lower house of the Russian parliament] Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin will represent Russia at the inauguration of Venezuelan President-elect Nicolas Maduro on January 10, 2025 in Caracas," the ministry announced.

On July 28, Venezuela held its presidential election. Maduro won, receiving 51.95% of the popular vote against his main rival, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who garnered just over 43.18%. One of the opposition leaders, Maria Corina Machado, stated on election day that opposing candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and his campaign would not recognize his defeat. Russia, Bolivia, Honduras, Iran, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, and several African nations congratulated Maduro on his victory. However, a number of countries, including Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the US, Uruguay, and Chile, did not recognize the re-election of the incumbent president.

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