Venezuela Opposition Candidate Asks Maduro To 'Step Aside'

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutiah has called on strongman Nicolas Maduro to 'step aside' (Credit: AFP)

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who has claimed he defeated Nicolas Maduro in last month's election, said Monday he was ready to negotiate a transition -- and asked the incumbent to "step aside."

"Mr. Nicolas Maduro, respect what all Venezuelans have decided... You and your government should step aside... I am ready for dialogue," Gonzalez Urrutia, a retired diplomat, said in a video message posted on social media.