U.S. President Joe Biden said he remained undecided on whether to issue pre-emptive pardons to protect some public figures who have been threatened with retaliation by his Republican successor Donald Trump.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who says he won a July presidential election and is recognized by multiple countries as president-elect, said he had a fruitful meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and spoke at length with President-elect Donald Trump's security advisor.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González met with US President Joe Biden, seeking support in his campaign against President Nicolás Maduro, who faces a disputed election victory. The opposition claims González won with double the votes of Maduro.

Venezuelan President Maduro has alleged the arrest of seven foreign mercenaries, including two Americans, accusing them of plotting against his inauguration.

Venezuela’s opposition leader plans to meet Washington lawmakers and speak with President Joe Biden next week ahead ... to power before President Nicolás Maduro begins a third term on Jan ...

US President Joe Biden will meet on Monday in Washington with exiled Venezuelan opposition politician Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who says he defeated Nicolas Maduro in a contested election, a US source familiar with the plan told AFP.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan opposition leader who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s presidential election met Monday with U.S. President Joe Biden just days ahead of Maduro’s contested inauguration to a third term.

Edmundo González Urrutia is trying to bolster international support before Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro is sworn in Friday.

Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro announced on state television on 7 January the arrest of seven foreigners whom he accused of being "mercenaries", allegedly trying to prevent him from taking the presidential oath.

Syria had experienced 13 years of civil war and splintered into religious and ethnic factions before the regime fell. While Venezuela’s situation differs in many respects from that of Syria, the repressive regime in Caracas shares allies with Assad’s ousted government and, like his, is loathed by most citizens.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez who claims he won last year’s presidential election against incumbent President Nicolas Maduro met with U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday.