Following a White House meeting between President Biden and Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, the Biden administration reaffirmed its support for González Urrutia's claim to the Venezuelan presidency. González Urrutia, who contends he won the July 28th election against incumbent Nicolás Maduro, sought US backing for his efforts to assume office before Maduro's scheduled inauguration for a sixth term on Friday.

The White House released a statement emphasizing the global attention on the Venezuelan election and the documented evidence suggesting González Urrutia secured a significant majority of votes. The administration stressed the importance of upholding democratic processes and a peaceful transition of power based on the Venezuelan people's will. They also expressed concern over the Maduro regime's alleged repression of protestors, activists, and civil society, pledging continued efforts to hold Maduro accountable alongside international allies.

González Urrutia's visit to Washington followed trips to Uruguay and Argentina as part of a broader diplomatic effort to garner support. His team organized a rally outside the Organization of American States, coinciding with his meeting with President Biden. While the opposition maintains González Urrutia's victory based on collected voting tallies, the Maduro-aligned National Assembly has invited Maduro for his sixth-term inauguration. Notably, official detailed vote counts were not released in this election, a departure from previous practices. The opposition’s online publication of tally sheets, which they claim demonstrate González Urrutia's substantial win, has been deemed legitimate by the Carter Center, an organization invited by Maduro's government to observe the election.

The US and many European governments have rejected the official election results, recognizing González Urrutia as the rightful winner. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has publicly denounced González Urrutia, labeling him a CIA agent without providing evidence, and threatening arrest upon his return to Venezuela. González Urrutia fled to Spain in September following an arrest warrant related to the publication of the election tally sheets. A $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture was also announced by the Venezuelan government. González Urrutia confirmed communication with President-elect Trump's team.