The United States has formally recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as the country’s president-elect following the disputed July 28 presidential election, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday on X.

The United States said Tuesday it recognises opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as president-elect of Venezuela – the first time it called him that – four months after a disputed election in which incumbent Nicolas Maduro claimed victory amid accusations of fraud.

The Biden administration is beginning to refer to Edmundo González Urrutia as Venezuela’s president-elect, a senior administration official said, its strongest acknowledgment yet that the opposition candidate won July’s presidential election.