国际英语资讯:Washington escalates rhetoric, moves against Caracas after election_时事

国际英语资讯:Washington escalates rhetoric, moves against Caracas after election

Earlier on Monday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence lashed out at Venezuela's elections in a statement, saying it was a "sham" that was "neither free nor fair."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said in a statement issued on the same day that the United States will take "swift economic and diplomatic actions" against Caracas.

Venezuelan President of the National Electoral Council (CNE) Tibisay Lucena announced late Sunday that Maduro was reelected by a wide margin, garnering over 5.8 million votes, with a voter turnout at 46.01 percent. Maduro's next closest rival Henri Falcon got around 1.8 million ballots and the third-place candidate Javier Bertucci got 925,042 votes.

Minutes after the electoral body issued its announcement, Maduro celebrated the results, calling on opposition leaders, including former opposition candidates, to take part in constructive dialogue to promote national peace and prosperity.

Maduro was first elected in 2013, pledging to strengthen the Bolivarian Revolution launched by former President Hugo Chavez.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Feb 5. that China supports the various parties of Venezuela to properly settle their problems through dialogue, adding that China is willing to continue to help with the country's economic and social development through practical bilateral cooperation.