US Denies Offering Amnesty to Maduro

The Biden administration has denied a Wall Street Journal report that it is considering offering amnesty to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for his resignation following the disputed July 28 elections. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel stated that no such offers have been made, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to pressuring Maduro to restore democracy in Venezuela. The report suggested that negotiations had been ongoing and included proposals for pardons for Maduro and his officials facing U.S. indictments. Despite claims of electoral victory, the opposition asserts that evidence shows Maduro lost the election, with reports of widespread voter suppression and violence against dissenters. Maduro's government has responded to the opposition's claims with crackdowns and threats of further repression. The administration's denial comes amid increasing scrutiny of its approach to dealing with Maduro and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.