Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is facing an international backlash after winning his second six-year term, in a landslide vote marred by an opposition boycott and claims of vote-rigging.
Fourteen countries including Argentina, Brazil and Canada have recalled their ambassadors from Caracas in protest.
The US has imposed new economic sanctions after Sunday’s election.
Venezuela is suffering from food shortages stemming from its economic crisis and voter turnout was low.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Maduro on his re-election wishing him success in resolving the social and economic issues facing the country.
With more than 90 per cent of the votes counted, Maduro had 5.8 million votes, or 67.7 per cent of the total.
The main opposition candidate, Henri Falcón, stood on 1.8 million votes or 21.2 per cent.
