SLP, Mexico.- The Venezuelan leader, Edmundo González Urrutiawho defeated the Chavista candidate Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 elections according to the minutes published by the opposition, met this Monday in the United States with the Cuban-American congressmen María Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez and Mario Díaz-Balart, and with President Joe Biden .
The leader opponent Venezuelan and Biden “reaffirmed their commitment to democracy in Venezuela and the importance of respecting the popular will expressed on July 28,” according to González’s social networks, where it is explicit that Biden highlighted “the courage of the Venezuelan people.” and demanded a peaceful transition of power on January 10.
“We thank the United States for back to the Venezuelan people who fight for freedom and to continue working for a democratic future for Venezuela,” wrote the official account of the opponent.
In one conference In a press release, González expressed that his team is working to meet with the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. “Our teams are in contact with President Trump’s teams. “They’ve been doing it for a while now,” he said.
He also added that he intends to continue with the same bipartisan policy that he has had from the beginning, as this will ensure a quick path to the restoration of democracy.
With the aim of increasing political support, ahead of the inauguration on January 10 in Venezuela, González also held a meeting with María Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez and Mario Díaz-Balart.
“The US must stand with the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom against Maduro’s murderous dictatorship!” Giménez wrote from Instagram. María Elivra Salazar also expressed her support for the legitimate elected president of Venezuela and the leader María Corina Machado.
For his part, the Venezuelan described the meeting with the Cuban-Americans as “productive” and thanked them for considering Venezuela “as a cause for everyone.”
With Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor, appointed by Donald Trump, he spoke about the civic protest of Venezuelans called for this January 9. Waltz, in his speech, guaranteed that the United States and the world will be alert about what happens in Venezuela.
The day of meetings also included a conversation with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, to whom he gave one of the scrutiny minutes of the election held on July 28.
We are leaving a productive meeting with the congressmen, María Elvira Salazar @MaElviraSalazarCarlos A. Giménez @RepCarlosMario Díaz-Balart @marioDB and Mike Waltz @michaelgwaltz.
Thank you for considering Venezuela as a cause for everyone! pic.twitter.com/y0JechPxAn— Edmundo González (@EdmundoGU) January 6, 2025
Edmundo González arrived in the United States this Sunday, as part of an international tour that he has undertaken prior to the inauguration scheduled for this Friday, January 10.
To the leaders Javier Milei, of Argentina, and Luis Lacalle Pou, of Uruguay, González Urrutia also offered the minutes that prove his victory over Maduro in the controversial electoral contest.
González assured that he would return to Caracas to assume the presidency, but with just days remaining until the inauguration, the Nicolás Maduro regime announced a reward of $100,000 for information leading to the capture of the opposition leader.
The Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office He published a photo of the former diplomat on social media with the phrase “Wanted.”
“For the crimes: Conspiracy, Complicity in the use of violent acts against the Republic, Usurpation of functions, Forging of documents, Money laundering, Ignorance of State institutions, Instigation of disobedience of the laws, Association to commit crimes, among others,” were the arguments given by the Venezuelan regime to request information about González’s whereabouts.
Shortly before the new presidential term begins, Chavismo resorts to another of its strategies to prevent González’s arrival in Venezuela.
The elected president of Venezuela, exiled in Spain in September, declared in an interview with EFE that he is the candidate “who won the victory and should take possession of the presidency.”
Despite the arrest warrants issued against him and Maria Corina MachadoGonzález Urrutia considers that these “harassment actions” are indicative of Maduro’s “weakness.” He trusts that he will not be arrested upon his return, but recognizes that “there will be a pulse, a tension.” However, he emphasized: “I am morally prepared.”
