US prepared to work with Venezuelan election winner 'if transparent'
3 Min Read
If President Nicolas Maduro does not win, the US is prepared to support a peaceful, negotiated post-election period and to consider steps that facilitate a peaceful transition of power.
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Supporters of President Nicolas Maduro hold out a Venezuelan flag during his closing election campaign rally in Caracas, Venezuela on July 25, 2024 (AP)
According to a senior US official on Friday, the US is willing to collaborate with the victor of Venezuela's presidential election as long as the vote is transparent.
"The United States is prepared to work with the winner of this election, as long as there's a transparent and fair election process, it's verified by domestic and international observers," a government official stated during a press conference.
The senior official claimed that if President Nicolas Maduro does not win, the US is prepared to support a peaceful, negotiated post-election period and to consider steps that facilitate a peaceful transition of power.
The official also claimed that the current administration hopes to repair relations between both countries after the elections.
“The United States is prepared to calibrate our sanctions policy, vis a vis events as they may unfold in Venezuela,” the official said during a press briefing. “As we look at the post-electoral period, we will continue to evaluate and update our sanctions policy, as required.”
The Venezuelan capital of Caracas witnessed the conclusion of Maduro's extensively supported presidential campaign, with the closing of the campaign organization period for the July 28 elections.
In his concluding speech, Maduro affirmed that "The far-right will be defeated in the elections, and the people will win once again," noting that the opposition is set to suffer an irreversible blow.
He also said he would call for a national, political, cultural, economic, and social discussion that includes all Venezuelan societal groups without any foreign intervention, saying he "does not want anyone to mess with Venezuela" right after the announcement of the election results on July 29.
On his part, far-right candidate Edmundo Gonzalez concluded his campaign by urging his supporters to vote, saying "July 28 represents a day for new beginnings, love instead of hate, prosperity instead of poverty, and honesty instead of corruption."
Latest polls suggest that incumbent Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is likely to secure a third term in office, an Al Mayadeen correspondent in Venezuela reported on Monday.
US, Venezuela agree to improve ties, Caracas says
Early this month, Venezuela and the United States took a step towards mending their relationship, agreeing to "improve relations" as they restarted negotiations, Caracas announced Wednesday, months after Washington had reinstated severe sanctions on Venezuela.
During the initial meeting, both parties showed a "willingness" to cooperate in enhancing their bilateral ties, as stated by President Nicolas Maduro's chief negotiator, Jorge Rodriguez, on the social media platform X.
According to Maduro, the proposal to renew negotiations originated from Washington, and Caracas accepted it after two months of thorough deliberation.
