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Venezuela, Paraguay break relations over Pena's support for opposition

07 January 2025 04:37 (UTC +04:00)

Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with Paraguay on Monday, with Paraguay expelling Venezuela's diplomats in the country in return, a day after Paraguayan President Santiago Pena expressed support for Venezuela's opposition, APA reports quoting Reuters.

Pena on Sunday spoke with Venezuela's opposition leaders and called Edmundo Gonzalez, who is in exile, the winner of Venezuela's presidential elections last year.

Pena said on X that he "expressed our commitment to continue working together with the international community, not only to recognize (Gonzalez's) victory, but to contribute to the prompt restoration of democracy in Venezuela."

In turn, Venezuela's government said in a statement that it "rejected" Pena's comments and that it would break diplomatic relations with Paraguay.

Paraguay's presidency doubled down after the break, again stating it recognized Gonzalez as the winner of Venezuela's elections and ordered Venezuela's diplomats in the country to leave within 48 hours.