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Excerpt from Reuters
US, Brazil float new Venezuela election despite government, opposition rebuffs
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday seemingly backed 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 Nicolas 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”.A National Security Council spokesperson later said Biden was “speaking to the absurdity of Maduro and his representatives not coming clean about the July 28 elections,” without fully walking back Biden’s comment.The spokesperson added it is “abundantly clear” that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won the election.A U.S. official, speaking on background, said the U.S. position had not changed and the vast majority of countries in the region were asking Maduro to release the results and recognize the outcome of the election.
