The president of Venezuela, the socialist Nicolás Maduro, called on his new U.S. counterpart, Democrat Joe Biden, yesterday, Saturday, to «turn the page,» assuring him that he is ready to embark on a «new path» in bilateral diplomatic relations, which were severed two years ago.
«We are ready to embark on a new path in our relations with Joe Biden’s administration, based on mutual respect, dialogue, communication, and understanding,» Mr. Maduro emphasized during a speech he delivered to his supporters.
«Venezuela—this 21st-century Venezuela, Bolivarian and revolutionary, is ready to turn the page,» to leave behind the conflicts with the administration of Republican President Donald Trump, he continued.
The Trump administration has imposed sweeping, crippling sanctions on Venezuela, including on its oil sector, since 2019, in order to overthrow the socialist regime of Mr. Maduro, whom it characterized as a «dictator.».
The U.S. government, followed by the governments of about 50 other countries, recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate president.
Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president of Venezuela on January 23, 2019, accusing Nicolás Maduro of winning the 2018 presidential election «through fraud,» an election that was boycotted by the opposition.
«Two years ago, I was forced to respond firmly and with dignity and, as head of state, to sever all political and diplomatic ties with the U.S. government at the time,» said Mr. Maduro from the balcony of the Miraflores Presidential Palace. But now, «Trump is gone,» he added with satisfaction.
When Joe Biden won the U.S. presidential election on November 3, 2020, Nicolás Maduro congratulated him and declared himself ready «for dialogue and consultation with the people and the government of the United States.» He reiterated this position in December.
Washington's Support for Juan Guaidó
In any case, Antony Blinken, who has been nominated by Joe Biden to be the next Secretary of State and is awaiting Senate confirmation of his appointment, made it clear that the new U.S. administration will continue to recognize Juan Guaidó.
The incoming head of U.S. diplomacy called Mr. Maduro a «barbaric dictator.».
Continued U.S. support is being noted even though the Chavistas regained a majority in the National Assembly in the December 6 elections, which the opposition boycotted, alleging fraud and irregularities in this process as well. The elections were not recognized by the U.S., the European Union, and several Latin American countries that oppose Nicolás Maduro.
Although easing sanctions against Venezuela does not appear to be on the agenda, some analysts believe that the Biden administration will take a more conciliatory stance than the previous one and will support international mediation to ensure a gradual transfer of power in VenezuelaVenezuela.
International mediation has been unsuccessful in the past.
For his part, Juan Guaidó advocates for the continuity of the previous National Assembly, which was controlled by the opposition and of which he was president; In that capacity, he proclaimed himself interim head of state.
The president of Venezuela’s new National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, again accused Juan Guaidó of corruption on Saturday, citing in particular reports in the U.S. newspaper The Washington Post regarding alleged misappropriation of Venezuelan funds and resources abroad worth $40 billion.
According to the UN, more than five million Venezuelan citizens have left the country since 2015 due to the deep political and economic crisis in the Latin American nation, where inflation has spiraled out of control, with some estimates putting it at over 4,000% on an annual basis.
