Volodin arrives in Venezuela for Nicolas Maduro's inauguration

Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin arrived in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the inauguration of the elected head Nicolas Maduro. This was reported by the State Duma on January 10.

"On the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the chairman of the State Duma will represent Russia at the inauguration of Nicolas Maduro. <...> The solemn ceremony will be held today, January 10," - informed the press service in the Telegram-channel of the State Duma.

It is specified that the deputies of the State Duma as international observers followed the process of presidential elections in Venezuela, which were held on July 28, 2024.

Presidential inauguration: Maduro invited Putin to his inauguration

Venezuelan leader to begin new six-year term Jan. 10

Earlier, on December 20, 2024, the director of the Latin American Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Shchetinin, said that Russia received an invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony of Maduro. In accordance with established practice, invitations to the inauguration are sent on behalf of the president to his counterparts, i.e. heads of state.

The presidential election in Venezuela was held on July 28, and Nicolas Maduro won. Speaking to supporters outside the presidential palace, the politician said his success was a "triumph of peace and stability" and showed that Venezuela's electoral system was "transparent."

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow welcomed the successful holding of the popular will in Venezuela and reaffirmed the mood for further cooperation between the countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Maduro on his victory.

Some countries refused to recognize the results of the vote in Venezuela. Thus, the U.S. authorities officially recognized the victory of the opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, while the governments of Argentina, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Ecuador demanded a "full review of the results."

In September, the U.S. Justice Department arrested Maduro's plane in the Dominican Republic, which was sharply condemned in Venezuela. In turn, Argentina requested an arrest warrant for Maduro from the International Criminal Court and put him on an international wanted list. In the same month, the European Parliament called for Maduro 's arrest and for Gonzalez to be recognized as president.