Venezuela: More Congratulations Follow Maduro's Re-election

More heads of state have come forward to congratulate Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on his successful re-election on May 20, while the European Union and Organization of American States (OAS) refuse to recognize the results.

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The prime ministers of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda resoundingly congratulated Maduro on his second win.

Prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, said: "We applaud your government and your people for conducting these elections. We congratulate you (Maduro) wholeheartedly on this re-election.

"It is with joy that the government and the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines welcome the good news that the government and the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held presidential elections on Sunday, May 20, 2018, which is consistent with the high standards required of the international community. 

"We congratulate you whole-heartedly on your own re-election to the presidency of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela."

Gonsalves also voiced hopes the shared multi and bilateral agreements between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela, such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELEC), will strengthen during Maduro's upcoming term.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ambassador to Cuba, Ellsworth John, headed the Caribbean Electoral Observer Mission to monitor Venezuela's electoral process first-hand.

Both Gonsalves and the Antigua and Barbuda prime minister, Gaston Browne, say they are looking forward to another six years of working with Maduro.

Browne said: "I look forward to working with you and expanding our cooperation in projects related to development for the mutual benefit of both peoples." He concluded by saying Maduro's re-election is a "victory for… national sovereignty... a cornerstone of international law."

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) President Brahim Gali also wished Maduro success: "Venezuela is and will continue to be an important reference… in the fight against colonialism, imperialism." SADR controls a portion of land within Western Sahara.   

At the other end of the spectrum, the OAS and the EU confirmed their rejection of the results.

The EU claims that the date of the May 20 general elections was not agreed upon by all parties so didn't comply with "international standards for a credible process," despite opposition parties verbally agreeing to the date late last year.

The EU is now considering "appropriate measures" in response to the election outcome.