US vows ‘swift’ action after disputed Venezuela vote

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday threatened new punitive measures against Venezuela after a disputed election which saw embattled President Nicolas Maduro win a second term.

“The United States stands with democratic nations in support of the Venezuelan people and will take swift economic and diplomatic actions to support the restoration of their democracy,” Pompeo said in a statement.

“Until the Maduro regime restores a democratic path in Venezuela through free, fair, and transparent elections, the government faces isolation from the international community.”US Vice President Mike Pence denounced Venezuela’s opposition-boycotted “sham” election as Washington mulled fresh sanctions against the regime of President Nicolas Maduro, who won a second term.

“Venezuela’s election was a sham — neither free nor fair. The illegitimate result of this fake process is a further blow to the proud democratic tradition of Venezuela,” Pence said in a statement. “The United States will not sit idly by as Venezuela crumbles and the misery of their brave people continues.” Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro on his re-election, after a vote the opposition rejected as a farce.

“The Russian president wished Maduro good health and success in resolving the social and economic issues facing the country,” the Kremlin said in a statement. Putin also hoped there would be a “national dialogue in the interests of the entire Venezuelan people,” the statement said.

Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolas Maduro faced widespread international condemnation after his re-election in a weekend vote his critics denounced as a farce cementing autocracy in the crisis-stricken oil producer.

The 55-year-old successor to late leftist leader Hugo Chavez hailed his win as a victory against “imperialism. “ But his main challengers alleged irregularities and refused to recognize the result. Venezuela´s mainstream opposition boycotted Sunday´s vote, given two of its most popular leaders were barred, authorities had banned the coalition and various of its parties, and the election board is run by Maduro loyalists.