Costa Rica Recognizes Edmundo González Urrutia as Legitimate President of Venezuela

Costa Rica’s Congress Approves Proposal in Favor of Opposition Leader

In a historic vote, Costa Rica’s Congress has formally recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate president of Venezuela, following the disputed July 28 elections in the country.

The proposal, which was approved with 43 votes in favor and 1 against, expresses the Costa Rican Legislature’s condemnation of the regime of Nicolás Maduro for refusing to respect the popular will of the Venezuelan people and violating human rights and basic political rights of its citizens.

The Costa Rican government has been vocal in its criticism of the Maduro regime, with President Rodrigo Chaves asserting that the Venezuelan elections were fraudulent and that Edmundo González was the true winner.

Condemning the Maduro Regime

The proposal also expresses the Costa Rican Legislature’s “condemnation of the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, for remaining in power and for refusing to respect the popular will of the Venezuelan people and, therefore, for violating Human Rights and the basic political rights of its citizens.”

This statement is in line with the Costa Rican government’s previous assertions that the Venezuelan elections were marred by fraud and that Edmundo González was the rightful winner.

A History of Support for the Venezuelan Opposition

Costa Rica has a long history of supporting the Venezuelan opposition, with the government offering political asylum to Edmundo González and opposition leader María Corina Machado in August.

In 2019, Costa Rica ignored Maduro’s victory in that year’s presidential elections and recognized Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

Since 2020, Costa Rica has suspended its diplomatic relations with Venezuela, closing the embassy and withdrawing staff.