Biden Hosts Venezuelan Opposition Leader at White House Amid Political Crisis

U.S. President Joe Biden met Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia at the White House on Monday, reaffirming U.S. support for restoring democracy in Venezuela as political tensions escalate ahead of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration.

During the meeting, Biden and Gonzalez Urrutia, recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela’s “president-elect,” emphasized the importance of respecting the will of the people through a transparent and accountable electoral process. They called for honoring Gonzalez Urrutia’s claimed election victory with a peaceful transition to democratic governance.

“The success of democracy hinges on respecting the will of the people,” Biden said, according to a White House statement.

The visit comes as Maduro prepares to be sworn in on Jan. 10 for a new presidential term following a contested election. While Venezuela’s Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner, the opposition maintains that Gonzalez Urrutia won the July 28 vote.

Both leaders expressed concern over what they called Maduro’s “indiscriminate use of repression” against protesters, democracy activists, and civil society. Biden reiterated that Venezuelans must be allowed to express their political opinions peacefully without fear of reprisal from security forces.

The U.S. president also pledged continued support for Venezuela’s democratic aspirations and vowed to hold Maduro and his representatives accountable for their “anti-democratic and repressive actions.”

Biden noted that he would closely monitor planned protests in Venezuela on Jan. 9, which opposition groups have organized to demand a peaceful transfer of power.