**Biden Affirms Exiled Opposition Leader as Venezuela's True Presidential Winner**

Tensions rise as the political landscape deepens in Venezuela, with González defying arrest warrants to reclaim his position.

US President Joe Biden met with Edmundo González, the exiled opposition presidential candidate from Venezuela, at the White House on Monday. In a resounding social media declaration, Biden referred to González as the "true winner" of the presidential election held last July, emphasizing Venezuela's right to a "peaceful transfer of power." González sought refuge in Spain in September amidst chaos following the elections, where incumbent President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory—a claim disputed by González and numerous factions of the international community.

The Maduro administration responded angrily to the meeting, labeling it "grotesque" and accusing Biden of endorsing a violent, anti-democratic agenda, as reported by Reuters. With the presidential inauguration approaching on Friday, both Maduro and González have rallied their supporters, asserting their claims to presidential authority. The current government, which has maintained control since 2013, has reinforced security measures in Caracas, deploying thousands of police officers and obstructing major road access as a means to preempt anti-government demonstrations.

Despite residing in Spain in exile, González has vowed to ignore an arrest warrant and plans to return to Venezuela to assume his role. However, specifics regarding his pathway back into the country remain undisclosed, especially given the government's standing reward of $100,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Unresolved is the question of how González intends to be sworn in without the cooperation of the National Assembly, dominated by Maduro loyalists. Nevertheless, the opposition persists in its defiance, calling supporters to take to the streets on Thursday. González's recent visit to the US has garnered significant international backing, following meetings with the presidents of Argentina and Uruguay, both accompanied by enthusiastic Venezuelan crowds advocating for freedom.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis manifests in the migration of nearly eight million Venezuelans, many now residing across Latin America and the US due to dire economic conditions and political oppression. Following Biden's meeting with González, the White House indicated it would "closely" monitor the Venezuelan government's response to planned protests on Thursday.

After the disputed election results in July, many Venezuelans expressing discontent with the regime faced arrest, with charges including "terrorism." Opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was barred from candidacy but remains a fervent supporter of González, voiced on Monday that fear is the government's only remaining weapon. She questioned how a modestly armed faction could overpower the masses of 30 million Venezuelans determined to reclaim their democracy.

Machado reaffirmed the opposition’s stance that the world recognizes González as the legitimate president-elect, highlighting the voting tallies that fueled the electoral dispute. Officially, the Maduro-aligned National Electoral Council declared him the winner on July 29 but has yet to present evidence supporting their claims. In contrast, opposition figures have gathered and published data from over 80% of voting districts, which independent observers, including outlets like the New York Times and CNN, suggest indicate González won with 67% of the votes, compared to Maduro's claim of 30%. The UN Human Rights Committee has ordered Venezuelan authorities to avoid destroying any voting evidence as tensions continue to escalate.