Biden Supports Venezuelan Election Amidst Controversy and Opposition from Maduro and Ruling Party

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed agreement with the concept of a new election in Venezuela during a press event on Thursday. This statement came shortly after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also suggested the idea. Both leaders' remarks were met with opposition from Venezuela's ruling party and its opposition, each of which claims victory in the July 28 contest.

International Perspectives on Venezuela's Election

Lula's proposal involved Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro potentially organizing a new election that would include international observers as a means of addressing the country's political crisis. The U.S., however, has rejected Maduro's assertion of victory.

Clarification of Biden's Position

When asked if he supported the notion of a fresh election in Venezuela, Biden concurred, stating, "I do." Following this, a National Security Council representative offered further insight, indicating that Biden's comment was in response to what was characterized as the "absurdity" of Maduro and his associates' failure to provide transparent information regarding the July 28 elections. The spokesperson emphasized that it was unmistakably evident that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez emerged victorious in the election.

U.S. Stance and International Pressure

An anonymous U.S. official affirmed that the U.S. position remained unchanged and underscored that a majority of nations in the region were urging Maduro to disclose the results and acknowledge the election's outcome. The international community has put forward several suggestions, including the proposal for a new election, although as of now, these have not garnered support from either Maduro or the opposition coalition. In the meantime, the U.S. and other Western countries, critical of what they have deemed as voter fraud, have shown little indication of promptly implementing stringent measures, despite imposing escalated oil sanctions on Venezuela in April for Maduro's alleged failure to adhere to an electoral conditions agreement.

Rejection and Responses from Maduro and Venezuelan Leaders

Maduro rebuffed the comments made by Biden and Lula, asserting that the United States and Brazil have themselves experienced disputed elections in which Venezuela chose not to interfere. He firmly denounced what he perceived as U.S. intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs and swiftly dismissed the notion, labeling it as "absolutely rejected." Likewise, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado dismissed the suggestions put forth by Biden and Lula, emphasizing that the election had already taken place and stressing the escalating costs associated with Maduro's continued tenure. Furthermore, members of the ruling party in Venezuela had previously dismissed the prospect of new elections.

Lula's Proposal for a "Coalition Government"

Lula contemplated the potential for a "coalition government" as another feasible avenue for Venezuela. Suggesting that if Maduro exercised "common sense," he could present this option to the people, possibly in the form of new elections overseen by a nonpartisan electoral committee. Lula maintained that he did not recognize Maduro as the election's victor and highlighted the necessity of the government releasing the unpublished voting tallies, echoing the calls made by numerous countries globally in the preceding two weeks.

Colombian Efforts and Latin American Leaders' Discussions

Colombian President Gustavo Petro engaged in discussions with Lula and expressed the possibility of a temporary power exchange between Venezuela's ruling party and the opposition, drawing parallels to a historical arrangement employed in Colombia for 16 years in the twentieth century. Petro, who advocated for the restoration of trade and diplomatic relations with Venezuela, stressed the importance of a political accord and the reliance on Venezuelans to determine the most suitable course of action. Latin American leaders are poised to address the Venezuela crisis during an upcoming meeting in the Dominican Republic, coinciding with the inauguration of the new president of that nation.

International Concern and Venezuela's Electoral Figures

Brazil's foreign policy advisor, Celso Amorim, clarified that Brazil had not formally presented the proposal for a new election in Venezuela. In the midst of these deliberations, some senators criticized the perceived tacit support extended to Maduro by the Lula administration and inquired about Brazil's efforts on behalf of incarcerated opposition figures. Amorim outlined Brazil's offer to facilitate the transport of six opposition members who sought asylum in the Argentine embassy, now under Brazilian protection following Venezuela's severance of ties with Argentina. Notably, while Venezuela's electoral authority declared Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote, it refrained from disclosing the complete vote tallies. Contrarily, the opposition's published figures, indicating Gonzalez's reception of 67% of the vote, stand in stark contradiction to the official announcement.