Venezuelan opposition leader who claimed victory over Maduro meets with Biden
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia met with President Biden on Monday in a bid to seek support in removing incumbent President Nicolás Maduro from office. González Urrutia, who claimed victory in last year’s presidential election against Maduro, had a productive meeting with President Biden at the White House. The opposition leader, who represented Venezuela’s main opposition coalition in the July election, expressed his gratitude to the United States government for their support in the fight for democratic recovery in Venezuela.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed the shared efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela. President Biden emphasized the importance of respecting the will of the people as expressed through a transparent electoral process. The White House officials released a statement highlighting their concern over Maduro’s use of repression against peaceful protesters and democracy activists. President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to holding Maduro and his representatives accountable for their anti-democratic actions.
González Urrutia embarked on a tour of the Americas, visiting Uruguay and Argentina before his stop in Washington. His team called on Venezuelans in the area to gather outside the Organization of American States to show their support. The National Assembly has invited Maduro to be sworn in for a sixth term on Friday, despite the opposition’s claims of victory in the election.
The opposition obtained tally sheets from electronic voting machines, which they posted online to demonstrate González Urrutia’s win with twice as many votes as Maduro. The U.S. and most European governments have rejected the official results of the election and consider González Urrutia the legitimate winner. The Carter Center, invited by Maduro’s government to observe the election, validated the opposition’s tally sheets.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello dismissed González Urrutia’s plans and insulted and threatened him, even accusing him of being a CIA agent without evidence. Cabello insisted that Maduro would be sworn in as president on Friday and warned González Urrutia of arrest if he returned to Venezuela. The opposition leader fled to Spain in September after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the publication of the election’s tally sheets.
Despite the challenges and threats, González Urrutia remains determined in his fight for democratic change in Venezuela. He revealed that his campaign has been in contact with President-elect Trump’s team, signaling continued efforts to garner support in removing Maduro from office. The Venezuelan government even announced a $100,000 reward for information on González Urrutia’s whereabouts, underscoring the intensity of the political turmoil in the country.
In conclusion, the meeting between González Urrutia and President Biden marks a significant step in the opposition’s quest to restore democracy in Venezuela. The international community’s support, particularly from the United States, is crucial in holding Maduro accountable for his anti-democratic actions and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power in the country. As the political tensions escalate, González Urrutia remains resolute in his pursuit of democratic change, despite facing threats and challenges from the incumbent government.
