South Ossetia Kitovani and Tengiz Sigua, and, in March 1992, they invited Eduard Shevardnadze, a former Soviet minister, to come to Georgia to assume control of the Georgian State Council. On 24 June 1992, Shevardnadze and the South Ossetian government signed the Sochi ceasefire agreement, brokered by Russia. The agreement included obligations to avoid the use of force, and Georgia pledged not to impose sanctions against South Ossetia. The Georgian government retained control over substantial portions of South Ossetia, including the town of Akhalgori. A Joined Peacekeeping force of Ossetians, Russians and Georgians was established. On 6 November 1992, the Organization for
South Ossetia–Venezuela relations South Ossetia–Venezuela relations South Ossetia–Venezuela relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between the Republic of South Ossetia and Venezuela. Venezuela recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia on September 10, 2009. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced that his country recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia when he was hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Chávez also announced that formal diplomatic relations will be established with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Chávez had previously defended Russia's recognition of the two republics, saying "Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We support Russia. Russia is right and is defending its interests." After succeeding