Until now, the US and other countries said Gonzalez had won more votes than incumbent leader Nicolas Maduro in the disputed July vote, but stopped short of recognizing him as “president-elect.”

Democracy demands respect for the will of the voters,’ said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. ‘This gesture honors the desire for change of our people,’ replied the exiled former diplomat

US recognizes Venezuela's opposition candidate Edmundo González as 'president-elect' months after Maduro claims victory