The United States has ramped up pressure on Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro by formally recognising opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the country's president-elect, marking the first time the Biden administration has used this designation since July's disputed election.

The United States said Tuesday it recognises opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as president-elect of Venezuela – the first time it called him that – four months after a disputed election in which incumbent Nicolas Maduro claimed victory amid accusations of fraud.

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