Explosive claim from US-based Wall Street Journal: US offered political asylum to Maduro
The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has alleged that the administration of US President Joe Biden has offered political asylum to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for him stepping down from the presidency.
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In a report citing sources within the White House, the US-based Wall Street Journal stated that the US is attempting to persuade Maduro—who "will face future criminal charges"—and senior officials in his government to resign before the new presidential term begins in January in exchange for political asylum.
One of the sources speaking to the newspaper stated that Maduro and senior government officials were also given a "guarantee of non-extradition to Venezuela" should they face prosecution by the country's judicial authorities in the future.
The report noted that the "secret talks" between the US and the Maduro government have also provided a glimmer of hope for the opposition, which claims to have won the July 28 elections by a wide margin and rejects the election results.
The report also mentioned that the issue of "Maduro stepping down" was brought up during the "secret negotiations" held between the US and Venezuela in Doha, the capital of Qatar, last year, noting that the Venezuelan President was unwilling to discuss this matter.
Last week, Maduro shared documents on social media regarding the "secret agreement" reached with the US and signed in Qatar. The documents included in the post stated that the Biden administration and the Maduro administration had reached an agreement for the US to lift sanctions on Venezuela's oil, banking, and gold sectors, provided that the opposition participated in the country's presidential election and that the election results were "adhered to."
In a statement during a press conference on August 9, Nicolas Maduro addressed the US, saying, "Do not interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs. That is my only request from you."
WHAT HAPPENED?
A presidential election was held in Venezuela on July 28.
According to the results announced by the Venezuelan National Electoral Council, Nicolas Maduro won the presidential election for the third time with 51.20 percent of the vote.
Following the conclusion of the election, the opposition issued a statement on July 29, claiming that the data from the National Electoral Council was inaccurate and that the results had been rigged.