U.S. Official hints at Venezuela negotiations as White House refrains from calling Gonzalez president-elect

The Venezuelan elections brought much controversy across the international scene. But while the U.S. has questioned results, its tactic has not been clear (Credit: AFP)

Following Venezuela's presidential election debacle, which resulted in autocrat President Nicolas Maduro clinching the win despite fraudulent vote tallies, the U.S. is refraining from recognizing opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the president-elect. The reason? Possible negotiations with the Chavista regime.

In a call with reporters Tuesday, a senior State Department addressed Venezuela. But while he did not specifically say why the U.S. is explicitly recognizing Gonzalez by that title despite acknowledging he did win the elections, his answers signaled the possibility of negotiations between Maduro and the opposition facilitated by Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, according to The Miami Herald.