"Following public allegations of the severe democratic crisis in Venezuela and the evident manipulation of the election results in that country, the Government of Ecuador expresses its recognition of Edmundo González as the legitimate winner of the Venezuelan presidential elections.

The old politics attempted, through fraud and irregularities, to usurp the real outcome of the counting process. This recognition by Ecuador is based on respecting the legitimate will of the people of this nation, clearly expressed at the polls and supported by the people’s mobilization in the streets in recent days.

Respect for democracy, justice, and electoral transparency is not a matter of ideologies. It is about principles. At these crucial and decisive moments, we have a moral obligation, with no room for hesitation or timidity, to declare loudly where we stand. With pride, we say: we are not on the side of indifference. What is happening there concerns us all. From our position, we will do everything possible to prevent the region from becoming a haven for impunity and the stripping away of citizens' rights.

The will of all peoples is untouchable, it is sacred. Therefore, Ecuador calls on the international community to respect the Venezuelan sacrifice and to join in this effort to safeguard the real decision of this country to become free again."