Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who claims victory in last year’s presidential election against incumbent Nicolas Maduro, met US President Joe Biden on Monday.
After the White House meeting, Gonzalez said he had a “long, productive and cordial conversation” with Biden. “Of course, we thanked the United States government for the support it has given us in this fight for democratic reform in Venezuela.” Gonzalez also said he looked forward to a closer relationship with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
The meeting between Gonzalez and Biden came days before Maduro was sworn in for a third term on Friday.
Maduro has continued to claim that he was the winner of Venezuela’s July election, despite the fact that election officials did not provide detailed vote counts after the election.
The opposition maintained its own collection of tally sheets from more than 80% of Venezuela’s electronic voting machines, proving that González was the clear winner of the July election.
The US, most European countries and several Latin American countries have rejected Maduro’s claims of victory, which has been recognized by Venezuela’s top court and electoral authority.
The controversial election led to mass protests in which approximately 30 people were killed and more than 2,400 arrested.
Gonzalez, a 75-year-old former diplomat, has been living in exile in Spain since the election, but has promised to return to Venezuela to take the oath of office on Friday.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on Monday that Gonzalez “will be arrested and prosecuted if he sets foot in Venezuela.”
Venezuela is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Gonzalez.