TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry has extended its congratulations to Venezuela for the successful execution of its recent presidential election, which saw the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro despite ongoing sanctions against the nation.

In a social media post on the platform X, Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, praised the Venezuelan people, government, and President Maduro for conducting a presidential election under challenging circumstances. 

He emphasized the significance of the election, which took place despite threats and severe sanctions, and highlighted the broad participation of Venezuelan citizens and the oversight by hundreds of international observers from various countries and organizations. Kanaani stated that this election demonstrates the deep-rooted democratic process within Venezuela.

Kanaani reiterated Iran's steadfast support for Venezuela in its pursuit of national development and expressed Tehran's commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Caracas.

Elvis Amoroso, the president of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), announced that President Maduro, aged 61, secured a third six-year term by winning 51.2 percent of the vote on Sunday. His main opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, garnered 44.2 percent of the votes.

Maduro, a former bus driver who assumed the presidency after the death of his mentor Hugo Chavez in 2013, was previously re-elected in 2018 despite opposition backed by the United States. Since November 2019, U.S.-led sanctions have driven inflation in Venezuela to exceed 4,000 percent.

Iran maintains strong relations with several Latin American countries, including Venezuela, across various sectors and is keen to deepen these ties further. In June 2022, Iran and Venezuela, both subjected to U.S. sanctions, signed a 20-year cooperation agreement during President Maduro’s visit to Tehran. This agreement covers cooperation in the energy sector and other areas.

The continued alliance between Iran and Venezuela underscores both nations' determination to overcome external pressures and sanctions, striving for mutual development and strengthening their international partnerships.