US offers amnesty to Venezuelan president in exchange for resignation

The U.S. has proposed granting amnesty to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his supporters if he resigns before the end of his term in January 2025.

The offer, made during covert negotiations, includes dropping charges related to narcoterrorism that were filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2020, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Sources indicate that the U.S. believes Maduro is likely to be defeated in the July presidential election, which prompted the amnesty proposal. The same offer was reportedly made in 2023 during secret discussions in Doha, but Maduro declined and has maintained his stance.

The Wall Street Journal also notes that if Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November 2024, the negotiations might be jeopardized due to Trump's previously aggressive policies toward Maduro.

In March 2020, U.S. Justice Secretary William Barr announced that Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were charged with narco-terrorism, with rewards ranging from $5 million to $15 million offered for information leading to their arrest.