Iran Welcomes Results of Election in Venezuela, Urges All Sides to Respect People’s Vote

“Holding elections and its results despite the internal pressures and foreign threats and sanctions is a big success and victory for democracy in Venezuela and its government and nation,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday.

He expressed the hope that the foreign countries would respect the results and the Venezuelan people’s vote, reiterating Iran’s deep solidarity with the Venezuelan government and nation and its full preparedness to further strengthen bilateral ties with Caracas.

President Maduro won a second term as president of Venezuela.

Electoral officials declared Maduro the victor Sunday night.

In the capital and around the country, the turnout was extremely low, with more than half of voters not casting ballots, reflecting both a call from many opposition leaders for a boycott of the vote and the disillusionment of longtime government supporters.