The U.S. is reportedly considering a last-ditch effort to offer amnesty to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for his stepping down from power, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal. This move comes in response to mounting evidence indicating that Maduro lost last month’s presidential election.
As part of this strategy, the U.S. has reportedly been discussing potential pardons for Maduro and several of his top allies, many of whom are facing serious criminal charges related to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. Sources familiar with the situation have suggested that the Biden administration might even be willing to drop ongoing extradition efforts against these individuals if it means securing Maduro’s departure from power.
A source quoted by The Wall Street Journal indicated that the Biden administration has put “everything on the table” in its bid to persuade Maduro to relinquish control before January. This underscores the urgency with which the U.S. is approaching the situation, as it seeks to prevent further instability in Venezuela.
Maduro has shown some openness to negotiating with the U.S. in the past. However, since the election, he has become more resistant, publicly warning Washington to refrain from interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs. “Don’t mess with Venezuela’s internal affairs,” Maduro stated at a news conference on Friday, reflecting his increasing defiance.
The success of the U.S. offer could be complicated by the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Should 45th President Donald Trump be re-elected, the offer may fall flat. Trump previously adopted a hardline stance toward Venezuela, and his return to power could signal a return to those policies. Despite this, Maduro remains deeply suspicious of any U.S. administration, including Biden’s. The Biden administration had lifted most sanctions against Venezuela earlier this year in an attempt to encourage Maduro to allow free elections, but this strategy has not yet yielded the desired results.
The recent election in Venezuela has sparked significant controversy, with new voting data showing that diplomat Edmundo González emerged as the winner. Despite this, Maduro’s regime has responded by imprisoning thousands of dissidents, maintaining the loyalty of the military, and seeking the intervention of the pro-Maduro Supreme Court to resolve the election dispute. Amidst this turmoil, the United Nations General Assembly has offered to mediate the election results, provided that Maduro permits third-party observers to be involved.
As the situation in Venezuela continues to evolve, the U.S.’s efforts to negotiate with Maduro represent a critical moment in the ongoing crisis. Whether these efforts will succeed in persuading Maduro to step down and allow a peaceful transition of power remains to be seen, but the stakes are undeniably high for both Venezuela and the broader international community.
The pot calling the kettle black.