Block: The Netherlands does not recognize Venezuela's election results

the hague - The Netherlands does not recognize the elections in Venezuela, where the leftist president Nicolás Maduro was re-elected this weekend. 'They were not free and independent elections,' said minister Stef Blok of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday in the House of Representatives.

Venezuela is the largest neighbor of the kingdom. The opposition boycotted the elections. Many of Maduro's opponents are in prison or have fled. The economy is in very bad shape. The country is an example 'how you can help an economy all the way to demolition,' according to Blok.

Many people flee from the country to Colombia, but also to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. There are many concerns in the Lower House about the flow of refugees to the Leeward Islands.