Venezuela Recognizes De la Espriella as Colombia's President-Elect

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has officially recognized Abelardo de la Espriella as Colombia's president-elect, following his victory in the recent elections. Rodríguez congratulated Espriella and emphasized a desire for respectful, cooperative, and friendly relations between the two neighboring countries.

"We recognize the sovereign will of Colombia, we congratulate that electoral process and we say let's take a step forward, let's not look back," Rodríguez stated during an event in Carabobo state. She added, "We congratulate the elected government of Colombia and ratify our faith in relations of respect, cooperation, and friendship as is appropriate between brother peoples."

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We recognize the sovereign will of Colombia, we congratulate that electoral process and we say let's take a step forward, let's not look back, because those who in the past attacked Venezuela from Colombia met with failure and not only the resounding failure of two brother peoples united in blood by the same sword.

The recognition comes despite De la Espriella's prior public statements. In May, he asserted that any dealings with Venezuela would be conducted through the U.S. State Department, stating, "I am not going to sit down with those thugs." This stance highlights a potential diplomatic complexity between the two nations, even as Venezuela seeks to normalize international relations following recent events.

Rodríguez's remarks also touched upon Venezuela's own internal situation, emphasizing the nation's strength and its pursuit of peace and reconciliation. She referenced past aggressions and threats, stating, "Venezuela is stronger. It has a different spirit, which leads us to deeply understand the value of peace, tranquility, independence, freedom."

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I am not going to sit down with those thugs.