Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro on his re-election in a widely disputed election.
"Russian-Venezuelan relations have the character of a strategic partnership. I am confident that your work as head of state will continue to contribute to their progressive development in all areas," Putin said in a statement, adding that Maduro will always be "a welcome guest on Russian soil."
Earlier, Venezuela's National Electoral Council stated that Maduro won the elections with 51.2% of the votes, while the opposition rejected the official results, claiming that their candidate Edmundo Gonzalez obtained 70% of the vote.
