In a significant development, the Venezuelan opposition leader who claims victory in last year's presidential election is set to visit the White House on Monday. This visit comes as part of his efforts to garner international support in his bid to topple President Nicolás Maduro.
The opposition leader, a retired diplomat, has been on a tour of the Americas, with recent stops in Argentina and Uruguay. He has been rallying support for his cause and calling on Venezuelans abroad to join him in his efforts.
Meanwhile, President Maduro has received an invitation from the National Assembly to be sworn in for a third term, despite the ongoing dispute over the election results. The opposition has contested the official results, claiming that their candidate won with a significant margin.
The election, held in July last year, has been marred by controversy, with allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency. The opposition has presented evidence to support their claim of victory, including tally sheets from a majority of the electronic voting machines.
International reactions to the election results have been divided, with the U.S. and most European governments rejecting the official outcome and recognizing the opposition leader as the legitimate winner. This has further fueled the political crisis in Venezuela and raised concerns about the country's democratic process.
The visit to the White House is expected to be a key moment in the ongoing political standoff in Venezuela, as both sides seek to gain international support and legitimacy for their respective claims to power.
