Venezuela: The Biden administration does not want to speak directly to Nicolas Maduro

---

Joe Biden's US government does not intend to speak directly with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whom he calls a dictator and does not recognize as legitimate president, US diplomacy said Wednesday.

State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, I certainly do not expect this government to dialogue directly with Maduro. We certainly do not expect any contact with Maduro in the near future.

The Biden administration had previously said it viewed opponent Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president like the Trump administration.

The spokesperson explained that the objective was to support a peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela, through free and fair presidential and legislative elections, and this by working with Latin American and European allies.