Exiled Venezuelan politician Edmundo Gonzalez called on his opposition supporters to protest President Nicolas Maduro's plans to take the oath of office on 10 January, despite the US and other countries long backing claims of election fraud.
Gonzalez was likely the winner of Venezuela's 28 July presidential election, international observers and others hold, but Maduro claimed victory and forced his opponent into exile in Spain. Gonzalez met with US president Joe Biden at the White House today, as part of several international visits.
Protesting is "a task for everyone, for the political leadership but also for all Venezuelans who believe in democracy", Gonzalez said when leaving the White House today.
The US has not changed its sanctions on Venezuela, including restrictions on crude exports, in response to the election results. Biden did not indicate that the US sanctions regime would change following his meeting with Gonzalez today, based on the White House readout of the meeting. "Both leaders agreed there is nothing more essential to the success of democracy than respecting the will of the people," the White House said.
President-elect Donald Trump has not specified what will change after he takes office on 20 January, but many of the restrictions he put in place during his first term remain. The Venezuelan opposition may be hoping that the incoming US administration's officials, which include long-time Venezuela hardliners such as secretary of state nominee Marco Rubio and designated White House national security adviser Mike Waltz, would advance a tougher policy toward Maduro.
But it is equally possible that Trump's plans to deport millions of migrants from the US would lead to dealmaking between the White House and Maduro, who said he would accept Venezuelans returning home from the US.
In Caracas, Maduro's administration has heavily increasing police presence on the streets this week ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.
Police lined platforms on the Caracas subway and guarded entry points into the city, searching most passengers and cars, causing lengthy delays.
Police and paramilitary groups known as colectivos also surrounded the presidential palace of Miraflores. The main thoroughfare Avenida Urdaneta has been closed to motor traffic.
Maduro's planning swearing-in has also led to additional diplomatic falling outs, with Venezuela breaking diplomatic ties with Paraguay after its president held a call with Gonzalez on Sunday and recognized him as the legitimate Venezuelan president. Venezuela had already severed ties with about a dozen countries in the area for siding with Gonzalez. Neighboring Brazil and Colombia are among the few Latin American countries with ambassadors in Caracas.
Both Brazil and Colombia have promised to send a representative, although not their presidents, to the ceremony, but the EU has said it will not recognize the event.
Gonzalez will be arrested if he tries to return to Venezuela, defense minister Vladimir Padrino reiterated today. The Maduro government is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Gonzalez' arrest.
