US Urges Venezuela's Maduro to Accept Amnesty

Washington, Feb 1 (AFP) The United States on Thursday urged Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro to accept an amnesty offer from opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom Washington has recognized as president.

"I wish Nicolas Maduro and his top advisors a long, quiet retirement, living on a nice beach somewhere far from Venezuela," national security advisor John Bolton tweeted.

"They should take advantage of President Guaido's amnesty and move on. The sooner the better," he said.

Guaido last week declared himself the interim president and was swiftly recognized by the United States and key Latin American nations amid a spiralling economic crisis under Maduro's leftist regime.

With the military leadership still backing Maduro, Guaido offered amnesty for anyone who disavows the president and has suggested a similar offer for Maduro himself.

Maduro has said he is willing to negotiate with the opposition and even offered to bring forward legislative elections.

But he has dismissed the idea of a new presidential poll. His own re-election last year was widely criticized as a sham. (AFP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)