In a shift, Pompeo says Venezuela sanctions can go if power shared

WASHINGTON/CARACAS－The United States on Tuesday offered a path for Venezuela's leadership to be freed from sanctions in the face of a mounting crisis by accepting a transitional government that excludes Juan Guaido, the US-backed opposition leader and congressional deputy.

The tactical shift came after more than a year of faltering US-led efforts to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and as fears grow that the coronavirus pandemic would spread rapidly both inside and from Venezuela.

The initiative came less than a week after the US government took a more confrontational tack, indicting Maduro and more than a dozen other current and former top Venezuelan officials on charges of "narco-terrorism", accusations Maduro dismissed as false and racist.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Guaido as well as Maduro should step aside for a transitional government comprising members of both their parties that will arrange elections in six to 12 months.

If the plan is fully implemented, the US and the European Union would lift sanctions, including sweeping US restrictions on Venezuela's key export of oil, the US State Department said.

The International Monetary Fund and other international lenders would be invited to plan economic relief for Venezuela, from which millions have fled as those who remain face dire shortages of food and other necessities.

The plan also calls for the departure of foreign forces from Venezuela, a reference to Caracas' support from Russia and Cuba.

Pompeo urged all sides to consider it "carefully and seriously".

Maduro has repeatedly ruled out ceding power and his government quickly rejected the framework, which is similar to a proposal put forward last year by Guaido in failed Norwegian-brokered talks.

"Venezuela is a free, sovereign, independent and democratic nation that does not and shall never accept instructions from any foreign government," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said.

Goal unchanged

Washington has not shifted its goals, with Pompeo renewing support for Guaido. And while the framework says that any Venezuelan can run for president in future elections, Pompeo reiterated that the US wanted Maduro out.

"We've made clear all along that Nicolas Maduro will never again govern Venezuela," Pompeo said. Asked if Guaido could run, Pompeo said: "Absolutely yes."

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab said on Tuesday that judicial authorities had cited Guaido for questioning on Thursday.

Authorities want Guaido "to respond to charges" made by retired military general Cliver Alcala Cordones, who is "currently a fugitive from justice", Saab said. Colombia last week said it discovered the weapons cache linked to Alcala who last week surrendered to US authorities on drug-trafficking charges. Alcala on Tuesday pleaded not guilty before a federal court in New York.

Guaido is to be questioned in relation to the March 23 seizure of an arms cache in neighboring Colombia that was due to be smuggled into Venezuela.

He is also under investigation in Venezuela for alleged corruption and treason for heading attempts to overthrow the government.

Agencies - Xinhua