US says it's still open to talks with Venezuela after Maduro announces meeting

Article summary:

- Biden administration remains open to dialogue with Venezuela.
- President Maduro agrees to restart direct talks before the July 28 presidential election.
- U.S. officials welcome good faith discussions but do not confirm a scheduled meeting.
- Maduro is seeking a third term; U.S. questions the fairness of the election.
- Western governments dismissed Maduro's 2018 re-election as a sham.
- Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, supported by Maria Corina Machado, leads in polls.
- U.S. reimposed oil sanctions on Venezuela in April for non-compliance with electoral guarantees.
- Maduro accepted U.S. proposal to restart talks to honor agreements made in Qatar.
- Secret U.S.-Venezuela negotiations in Qatar last year helped schedule current elections.
- U.S. State Department supports competitive and inclusive elections in Venezuela.
- Venezuelan official Jorge Rodriguez to participate in talks; details of discussions not specified.
- Unclear if the meeting will be in person or virtual; previous meeting was in Mexico in April.

Source

@US_report