Venezuela's government rejects EU vote to recognise opposition leader as election winner

Venezuela’s government rejected a non-binding resolution approved by the European Parliament on Thursday to recognize opposition candidate Edmundo González as president of Venezuela. 

The Venezuelan, government-controlled National Assembly approved an agreement to “repudiate” the Parliament’s decision. 

MEPs had recognized Edmundo González as "the legitimate and democratically elected President of Venezuela," with 309 votes in favour, 201 against and 12 abstentions. 

Their decision followed disputed presidential elections within Venezuela in July, which opposition claims to have won. 

However the country's Electoral Council – perceived as loyal to the sitting government – proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner. 

Maduro referred to the decision of the European Parliament on Thursday, drawing comparisons with the bloc’s support for former opposition leader Juan Guaidò. 

The vote in the European Parliament came a day after González said he had been coerced into signing a letter acknowledging his defeat by government officials in order to leave the country. 

The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, had earlier revealed the letter. 

Gonzalez's arrival in Spain has strained relations between Madrid and Caracas.  

Last week, Rodriguez called for the breaking of diplomatic and commercial relations with Spain.