On Thursday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a renewed 'negotiated transition to democracy' in Venezuela. Donald Trump’s administration had been sceptical of Norway-mediated talks between the representatives of socialist President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido and stated that any mediation should focus on Maduro’s exit.
Last year, the US and several other countries recognized Guaido as the legitimate interim president of Venezuela. A year later, Maduro–backed by China, Russia, Cuba, and the military–remains in power. Maduro has called Guaido an American puppet. Conversely, Guaido argues that Maduro’s 2018 re-election was a sham.
Pompeo’s statement comes after a stand-off between Maduro and Guaido supporters after Guaido was re-elected as Speaker of the national assembly and then barred from entering the legislative building by national guards. Pompeo, who has frequently denounced Maduro, took a soft approach on Thursday and stated that “a swift negotiated transition to democracy is the most effective and sustainable route to peace and prosperity in Venezuela”. He called for free and fair elections by the end of this year.
On Pompeo’s statement, a US State Department official said that Maduro is “incapable of overseeing free and fair elections”. Venezuela will hold congressional elections this year. However, oppositional leaders are demanding the creation of a new elections council.
Image Source: NBC News