US State Department Refutes Allegations of Amnesty Offer for Maduro
The State Department refuted reports suggesting that amnesty was being considered for Maduro and his top officials in exchange for peacefully relinquishing power.
A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State denied allegations from media outlets regarding an offer of amnesty to Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro.
The presidential elections in Venezuela were held on July 28, with Maduro declared as the winner amidst opposition claims of electoral fraud. Protesters have taken to the streets, alleging that opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia actually won the election.
Contrary to a report from the Wall Street Journal on August 11 proposing amnesty for Maduro and his associates in return for a peaceful transition, the Department of State spokesperson Vedant Patel clarified during an August 12 press briefing that no such offer had been made.
“We condemn the escalating violence, mass incarcerations, and repression against Venezuelans, including members of the democratic opposition.”
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Following the election, protests continue in various Venezuelan cities, with individuals removing Maduro’s propaganda and statues of former President Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s predecessor, being toppled.
The violence escalates with ongoing arrests, imprisonments, and other aggressive tactics employed by Maduro to maintain order. He accuses González Urrutia and prominent opposition figure María Corina Machado for the unrest, resulting in an estimated death toll of 25 since the protests began.
After the election, Maduro enforced a ban on the social media platform X for 10 days, alleging the spread of misinformation regarding the election outcome. Musk, the owner of X, had previously criticized Maduro, labeling him a dictator and accusing him of election fraud.
According to Patel, the U.S. is exploring strategies for a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela, excluding the possibility of amnesty for any individuals.
“As Secretary Blinken emphasized, it is imperative for Venezuelan parties to engage in discussions for a respectful and nonviolent transition, aligning with Venezuelan electoral laws and the will of the Venezuelan people,” he expressed.
“The U.S. is evaluating various measures to compel Maduro to restore Venezuela’s democratic trajectory and will persist in doing so, emphasizing Maduro and Venezuela’s electoral authorities to be transparent about the election results,” Patel concluded.
