The United States is attempting to broker a deal with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro — relinquish power in exchange for amnesty.
The U.S. has floated pardons for strongman Maduro and top lieutenants who could otherwise face Justice Department indictments, reported The Wall Street Journal.
A member of the Biden administration said the U.S. has "put everything on the table" in an effort to get Maduro to vacate the presidency before his term ends in January.
Among the offers floated: not pursuing extradition for key players in Maduro's regime.
The news of deliberations may offer a glimmer of hope to Venezuela's political opposition helmed by former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, who defeated Maduro in a landslide in the July 28 election.
Maduro has clung to power, continuing 11 years of authoritarian rule, and jailing thousands of dissidents.
"There will be no forgiveness," he warned, saying two prisons will be built to house political prisoners.
This isn't the first time the U.S. has floated an amnesty offer to Maduro including last year during secret talks in Doha, Qatar.
"Don't mess with Venezuela's internal affairs, that's all I ask for," Maduro said during a news conference Friday.
Venezuela expert Geoff Ramsey, expert at Washington think tank the Atlantic Council, said the Biden administration is "focusing on carrots, like offering to lift the indictments in exchange for transition talks, rather than sticks like sanctions."
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