Turkey praises Venezuela for ‘peaceable’ elections

Turkey praised Venezuela at this time for its latest elections. Turkey continues to boast of fine ties with Venezuela, which is topic to US sanctions.

The Turkish Ministry of International Affairs mentioned the elections passed off in a “peaceable method” and lauded the participation of the Venezuelan opposition within the contest.

“We’re happy that the native and regional elections that had been held in Venezuela on 21 November 2021 have been carried out in a relaxed and peaceable method with the vast participation of the opposition as nicely,” read a statement from the ministry.

The ruling socialist social gathering of President Nicolas Maduro performed well within the regional elections, whereas the opposition led by Juan Guaido did poorly.

Turkey and Venezuela have developed good relations in recent times. The Bolivarian Republic’s overseas minister visited Turkey final month, the place he pledged to develop “deeper” relations in funding and commerce. Turkish International Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu additionally traveled to Venezuela in 2020. Turkey additionally despatched coronavirus-related help to Venezuela final yr.

Conversely, the US sanctions Venezuela and helps Guaido. Washington is especially involved about Iranian gasoline deliveries to Venezuela. In June, the US navy issued a warning concerning an Iranian warship reportedly headed to Venezuela.

The US State Division known as Venezuela’s elections “flawed” in a Nov. 22 press launch.

“The Maduro regime disadvantaged Venezuelans but once more of their proper to take part in a free and truthful electoral course of throughout Venezuela’s November 21 regional and native elections,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said within the assertion.

Blinken alleged that the outcomes had been “skewed” on account of criminalization of the opposition, arbitrary arrests and harassment of civil society activists.

Turkey and the US are NATO allies, although relations have been tense in recent times, together with over US support to Kurdish groups in Syria. The US authorities has not commented on Turkey’s relations with Venezuela.