Meeting with exiled Venezuelan politician signals US stance

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet Monday with Venezuelan opposition politician Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in Washington, according to a U.S. source familiar with the arrangements, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The meeting comes as Gonzalez Urrutia stakes his claim to Venezuela’s presidency following a contested election with incumbent Nicolas Maduro. “President Biden is expected to meet President-elect Gonzalez Urrutia tomorrow,” the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The stakes of the meeting have heightened after Maduro recently offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to Gonzalez Urrutia’s capture.

In a bold move Sunday, Gonzalez Urrutia addressed Venezuela’s military through a video posted on social media, declaring his intention to take command. “On January 10, by the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people, I must assume the role of commander-in-chief,” he said.

The statement presents a direct challenge to the current power structure, as Venezuela’s armed forces have pledged “absolute loyalty” to Maduro, who is scheduled to be sworn in on January 10.