Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez greets his supporters after winning the re- election in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

CARACAS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela William Brownfield said on Tuesday that Washington regarded the re-election of President Hugo Chavez as a legitimate expression of the will of the Venezuelan people.

    "The president was re-elected by the decision of the Venezuelan people," Brownfield told Union Radio.

    Chavez, who has governed Venezuela for the past eight years, was formally declared winner of Sunday's election, garnering 62.89 percent of the vote, far ahead of his rival Manuel Rosales, governor of the western oil state of Zulia, who also campaigned on a populist platform.

    "We recognize that and we're ready, willing and eager to explore and see if we can make progress on bilateral issues," Brownfield said, adding that the war of words between the two nations must be reduced in the future so that diplomatic relations can develop.

    Brownfield also congratulated the Venezuelans on a peaceful election with a high turnout, and said the U.S. would continue to work in partnership with Venezuela.

    "Venezuela is a partner of the United States, for geographical reasons, for historical reasons," he said.

    He said the United States and Venezuela share an interest in cooperating in various issues, including combating drug trafficking, international crime, terrorism as well as trade and energy issues.

    On Monday, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told media that the new government is ready to deal with the U.S. government on a basis of mutual respect.

    As the No. 1 buyer of the Venezuelan oil, the United States maintains a tense relationship with Venezuela.

Related:

    Chavez's re-election officially proclaimed

    CARACAS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's electoral authorities on Tuesday officially confirmed that President Hugo Chavez had been re-elected in Sunday's election.

    "I proclaim the citizen Hugo Rafael Chavez Fria president of the republic," National Electoral Council president Tibisay Lucena told a ceremony attended by the leftist leader.

     Chavez claims presidential election victory

    CARACAS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared on Sunday that he had won a new term in the presidential election.

    Of the 78 percent of votes counted, Chavez won 61 percent, far ahead of his rival Manuel Rosales, according to Tibisay Lucena, head of the elections council.