Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, a 76-year-old former diplomat recognized by some countries as the winner of the 2024 Venezuelan presidential vote, said on Saturday that Venezuela should hold new presidential elections and threw his support behind Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. 

What did Gonzalez say?

In a video message posted on social media, Gonzalez voiced solidarity with fellow opposition leader Machado, who is also advocating for new elections. 

"A few days ago in Panama, Maria Corina Machado and Venezuela's democratic forces came together with a single goal: Venezuela's freedom. We stand together, united on the same roadmap towards the same destiny," Gonzalez said. 

"My commitment is to do everything in my power to ensure that mandate becomes real freedom, real democracy," he added. 

Gonzalez said the election process should have "independent referees," political pluralism and both national and international observers. He said it is time "to build the conditions for holding presidential elections that serve as citizens instruments for change."

Machado on Saturday hailed Gonzalez as "an example of service and dedication to the homeland."

"The free and prosperous Venezuela that is already being reborn, my dear Edmundo, has your name imprinted on its heart," Machado wrote on social media platform X.   

What is Venezuela's current political predicament? 

Maduro has since been replaced by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who has appeared to be more willing to acquiesce to Washington's demands, such as improved US access to Venezuela's vast oil supply. US President Donald Trump has been delighted by Rodriguez's cooperation thus far and has not taken further action to supplant her leadership.   

Gonzalez, a 76-year-old former diplomat who resides in Spain, faced off against Maduro in the 2024 presidential elections. 

Machado had been barred from taking part in the 2024 race.  

Maduro's administration had served Gonzalez with an arrest warrant on the charges of criminal association and conspiracy over the disputed election.  Machado is also deemed a fugitive by the Venezuelan government. 

Although official results showed Maduro won the 2024 race, outside election observers and watchdogs such as the Carter Center and Freedom House found the results lacking credibility and the electoral processes marred by irregularities. 

Some countries, such as the United States, had recognized Gonzalez as the winner of the 2024 race. 

Edited by: Sean Sinico