Tehran, IRNA – Referring to holding 25 national elections in Venezuela so far as an important manifestation of democracy in the country, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi asked, “Why don't Americans respect the people's vote?”

The president made the remarks during a meeting with the Venezuelan Parliament Speaker in Caracas on Tuesday which took place as part of his visit to the Latin American country.

Raisi’s visit to Venezuela is the first leg of his five-day tour of Latin America which will later take him to Nicaragua and Cuba.

Reiterating Iran’s determination to expand ties with independent states, President Raisi said that more enhanced parliamentary cooperation between Iran and Venezuela will help bolster the relations between the two nations.  

He expressed hope that his Caracas trip will be a turning point in promotion of bilateral relations.

The Venezuelan parliament speaker said in the meantime that with its booming developments, the Islamic Republic of Iran can make a role model for Venezuela.

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