U.S., Brazil float new Venezuela election despite rebuffs from Maduro, opposition

Pres. Joe Biden said he supports Brazil Pres. Lula da Silva's suggestion that Venezuela hold new elections involving international observers but neither Maduro nor the opposition have supported this suggestion.

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he would support a new election in Venezuela, after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also floated the idea, despite rebuffs from Venezuela’s ruling party and its opposition which both claim victory in the July 28 contest.

Biden spoke to reporters in the wake of Lula’s suggestion that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro could call a new contest involving international observers as a potential solution for the political crisis in the country. The U.S. has rejected Madura’s victory claim.

Asked if he supports a new election in Venezuela, Biden said “I do”.

The suggestion is among several from the international community which have no support so far from either Maduro or his opposition coalition opponents.

The U.S., which hardened oil sanctions in April on the OPEC member for what it said was Maduro’s failure to comply with a deal on electoral conditions, and other Western countries are showing little sign of swift, tough action over what many of them have condemned as voting fraud.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/us-brazil-suggest-new-elections-venezuela-rcna166790

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