Iran wishes Maduro success, slams US-led 'malign interventions' in Venezuela

Iran congratulated Nicolas Maduro on his inauguration as Venezuela’s president for a third term, expressing hope for the expansion of relations between the two friendly countries.

News ID: 5751

Date: 12 January 2025 - 11:06

TABNAK, Jan 12: "Congratulations to President Nicolas Maduro on his inauguration into office as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in an X post.

"We wish him all the success in serving his great people & country and are looking forward to working with the elected government for the good of our nations in furtherance of Iran-Venezuela's extensive bilateral ties."

During a ceremony at Venezuela's National Assembly on Friday, Maduro took the oath of office, pledging that his third six-year term in office would be a "period of peace".

Maduro said he was spearheading “a democratizing revolution” in Venezuela while heading an “eminently democratic project” inspired by Latin America’s independence heroes.

Maduro won 51.2 percent of the votes cast in the presidential election on July 28, 2024, compared to 44.2 percent of the opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.

The opposition leader, whom the US recognized as the winner of the election, accused President Maduro of election fraud and fled to Spain.

Shortly after Friday's inauguration, the US announced an increased $25 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro and his closest officials.

In his post, Baghaei said Iran stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government in the face of "malign interventions and unilateral coercive measures led by the United States."

The US has imposed sanctions on both Iran and Venezuela, which have been on the frontline of shaping a world free of imperialism and dominant powers.