Panama offers asylum to Maduro

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino has offered Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro political asylum and safe passage to a third country to facilitate a peaceful political transition following the disputed July 28 election, which Maduro claims to have won but is widely contested by the opposition. Maduro rejected the offer, accusing Mulino of being influenced by the U.S. and asserting that any interference with Venezuela would backfire. Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado is advocating for a negotiated transition, proposing guarantees and incentives for Maduro to leave power, reflecting a growing consensus for a peaceful resolution among various stakeholders. The situation remains tense as international efforts, including those from the U.S. and Brazil, aim to mediate the political crisis. Panama has joined several Latin American countries in severing diplomatic ties with Venezuela in response to the electoral controversy, further complicating the region's relations. The legitimacy of the election remains in question as detailed vote counts have yet to be disclosed by Venezuela's electoral authority.