Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on securing a third term in a disputed election held at the weekend.
In a letter published by the Kremlin, Putin conveyed his “warmest congratulations.”
“Russian-Venezuelan relations have the character of a strategic partnership. I am convinced that your actions at the head of state will continue to enable progressive development in all directions,” Putin continued.
Venezuela’s Electoral Council said that Maduro won about 51% of the vote held on Sunday. The opposition called the results fraudulent and said it does not recognize Maduro’s victory.
Maduro was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Putin on his re-election in March to another six-year term. Putin faced little competition, and the election was widely seen as stage-managed.
Maduro, who has also ruled Venezuela in an authoritarian manner since 2013, described the victory of his “older brother” Putin as a good omen for the whole world.
Putin has now returned the favour by recognizing Maduro’s victory unusually quickly by the Kremlin’s standards.
“Remember that you are always a welcome guest in Russia,” Putin wrote in his letter.
