The Biden administration said Monday it has serious concerns with the Venezuelan election but stopped short of declaring the narrow victory of President Nicolas Maduro fraudulent or calling for additional sanctions against the South American country.
In the past, the Biden administration has been quick to reject results from other questionable elections like Nicaragua’s 2021 election and Belarus’ February elections.
But U.S. caution highlights Venezuela’s precarious conditions.
The disputed results could spark massive nationwide protests and intense government reprisals, which could further destabilize the country . Further chaos could also exacerbate migration pressures in the region.
Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have fled their country since 2014, many seeking asylum in the U.S. and settling in Texas and Florida.
The cautious response also could be an indication that the U.S. sees a possibility that Maduro could be forced to negotiate an exit and wants to avoid tainting that process by prematurely joining calls for a change in government.
Republican lawmakers that represent states and districts with large Venezuelan communities have criticized the administration’s pre-election strategy, which included offering Caracas sanctions relief in exchange for guarantees of a free and fair voting.
.Here are the top political news stories for today.
@LolliesAudreyRepublican2yrs2Y
Denying the outcome of an election?! Sound like insurrectionists! And, as Maduro said, "far right" Sorry, couldn't resist, don't feed the troll.
Seriously though, what if the 6 million that fled Venezuela were still there? That's a lot of angry people that could maybe make a difference. Of course, private gun ownership was banned in 2012 due to "crime" so there's no hope unless the army or police defect. Yet another prime example (if history isn't enough) that freedom is ultimately guaranteed by an armed population.
A well-armed general populace is the only thing that protects democracy.
@BoldCheetahSocialist2yrs2Y
Venezuela is a very heavily armed nation, third most armed civilians after Brazil and Mexico, across the political spectrum as well. You are almost understanding the problem though, a huge number of people who probably would’ve bolstered the opposition are no longer in country to vote or protest. Many have been gone so long their connections to the country have been severed and there’s really no way for them to affect any change besides posting online.
Eric Farnsworth, vice-president of the Council of Americas, a business lobby, said there were not many good options for the US as Washington was preoccupied with its own election and “loath to take on another messy global crisis”.
I agree - lets stay out of this
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Join in on more popular conversations.
