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.”

Months after the disputed election, the U.S. recognized Edmundo González as the "president-elect", after Nicolas Maduro claimed to have won.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called Venezuela's Edmundo Gonzalez the country's "president-elect" for the first time, signaling that Washington wants to step up pressure on incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

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

President Joe Biden's administration had previously said González had earned the most votes in the disputed July 28 election, but had fallen short of acknowledging him as president-elect. View on euro