Biden meets Edmundo Gonzalez, Venezuelan opposition leader and US-recognised election winner

Gonzalez began an international tour on Saturday, during which he hopes to drum up more worldwide support

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez speaks to US President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington. Reuters

President Joe Biden has met Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who the US claims is the South American country's rightful leader, at the White House.

Monday's meeting came days before Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is due to be inaugurated for a third term in office, despite international pressure.

Last year, the Biden administration and most European governments rejected the results of the July 28 presidential election, due to what they called irregularities, and recognised Mr Gonzalez as the winner.

Mr Gonzalez said he and Mr Biden had "a fruitful and cordial conversation".

"We thanked him for the support that this government has given us in the fight for democratic recovery in Venezuela," he said. "That is a commitment that we will be following until the last day of the government."

Mr Biden has only days left in office, with president-elect Donald Trump due to be inaugurated on January 20. Mr Gonzalez said he had tried to contact Mr Trump's team but they had yet to respond. Mr Gonzalez, 75, a former career diplomat, fled to Spain where he has been living in exile after a judge in Venezuela certified Mr Maduro, who issued an arrest warrant for Mr Gonzalez.

The White House said that the two leaders discussed efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela. They also talked about what it called Mr Maduro's repression of protesters, activists and civil society.

"President Biden emphasised that the world was inspired by the millions of Venezuelans who courageously voted for democratic change in Venezuela’s deeply flawed July 28 presidential election," the White House said.

After meeting Mr Biden on Monday, he was due to meet representatives of the Organisation of American States in Washington.

The White House was the first stop in Mr Gonzalez's international tour, which is aimed at gathering international support for his cause. He is set to head to Uruguay where he will meet President Luis Lacalle Pou, followed by visits to Panama and the Dominican Republic.