U.S. and Brazil Suggest New Venezuelan Election Amidst Rejection from Both Government and Opposition

U.S. President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have suggested a new election in Venezuela as a potential solution to the ongoing political crisis in the country, despite opposition from both the Venezuelan government and its opposition. The proposal comes after the contentious July 28 election, where both the ruling party and opposition claim victory.

President Biden expressed support for a new election in Venezuela after Lula floated the idea of holding a new vote with international observers. Biden’s remarks followed Lula’s suggestion that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro could consider calling a new election as a way to address the disputed results. The U.S. has consistently rejected Maduro’s claim of victory.

When asked by reporters if he supported a new election in Venezuela, Biden replied, “I do.” However, a spokesperson for the National Security Council later clarified that Biden was highlighting the “absurdity” of Maduro not acknowledging the true results of the July 28 election, which the U.S. believes was won by opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. The U.S. official emphasized that the U.S. stance remains unchanged, with the majority of regional countries urging Maduro to release the election results and recognize the opposition’s victory.

Despite these international suggestions, there has been no indication of support for a new election from either Maduro or his opposition coalition. Maduro has firmly rejected the calls from both Biden and Lula, criticizing their involvement in Venezuela’s internal affairs. “I reject absolutely that the United States is trying to become Venezuela’s electoral authority,” Maduro declared on state television, accusing Biden of offering an “interventionist opinion.”

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado also dismissed the idea of a new election, insisting that the previous election has already taken place and that the international community should focus on pressuring Maduro to step down.

Lula, who has not recognized Maduro as the legitimate winner of the vote, suggested in a radio interview that a coalition government could be another possible solution for Venezuela. He proposed that Maduro might consider calling new elections with a nonpartisan electoral committee if he wanted to demonstrate good faith.

Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Venezuela’s ruling party and opposition could alternate power temporarily, drawing on a historical precedent from Colombia. Petro also reiterated his call for lifting all sanctions on Venezuela, emphasizing that a political resolution must come from the Venezuelan people.

Latin American leaders are expected to discuss the Venezuelan crisis further during an upcoming summit in the Dominican Republic. As international pressure mounts, the outcome of these diplomatic efforts remains uncertain, with both Maduro’s government and the opposition standing firm in their positions.