Biden opens Summit of the Americas, prominent nations absent
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The prominent nations' absence comes as Washington refused to invite the leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
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Biden opens Summit of the Americas
On Thursday, US President Joe Biden spoke of how democracy is not only the defining feature of American history but the "essential ingredient" as well.
During his opening of the Summit of Americas in Los Angeles, Biden acknowledged the differences between the participating countries. The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden did not invite Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to the summit.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrated the "courage and clarity" of his Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for choosing not to attend this week's Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, in objection to Biden not inviting three of the most prominent nations in the region.
In addition, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras were also absent.
During the summit, Biden touched on how democratic countries are capable of overcoming their differences with mutual respect and dialogue, emphasizing that the Americas are large and diverse, and agreement is not always possible.
He noted that during the summit, there is an opportunity to collaborate on some ideas and demonstrate the power of democracy to the people.
The summit is scheduled to last for 2 days and focuses on migration, climate change, and food insecurity.
US supports negotiations led by Venezuela
On Wednesday, Biden affirmed his support for the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who Washington recognizes as "acting President" without inviting him to the Summit.
In a statement from the White House, Biden reportedly spoke with the Venezuelan acting President to affirm the US “recognition of and support for the 2015 democratically elected National Assembly and Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela.”
Former US President Donald Trump said in 2019 that he would not recognize the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro.
The White House said Biden, during a call from Air Force One on his way to California, that “Venezuelan-led negotiations are the best path toward a peaceful restoration of democratic institutions, free and fair elections.”
