The relationship with Uribe —lionized by Venezuela’s opposition and demonized by Latin America’s left — may come in handy as he seeks to build momentum for politically fraught engagement with Maduro. But he said he is willing to speak to Maduro’s government if allies in Latin America, the European Union and the Biden administration see value in such an approach. Not for nothing, the Trump administration has said the only thing to negotiate with Maduro are the terms of his exit. “The Trump policy was predicated on Florida politics — not getting something done,” Meeks said. In one of those trips, he urged Maduro to release opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez, then in jail for leading anti-government protests.

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez with his wife Lilian Tintori and their son and daughter pose for a photo after a news conference in Madrid on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. Prominent opposition activist Leopoldo Lpez who has abandoned the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas and left Venezuela after years of frustrated efforts to oust the nation's socialist president is holding a news conference in Madrid. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez takes part on a news conference in Madrid on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. Prominent opposition activist Leopoldo Lpez who has abandoned the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas and left Venezuela after years of frustrated efforts to oust the nation's socialist president is holding a news conference in Madrid. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)MADRID – Leopoldo López, the Venezuelan politician who for years has led the biggest challenge to the government of Nicolás Maduro, has pledged from his self-imposed exile in Spain to continue fighting to “free” his homeland. Sánchez's partner in the government, the far-left United We Can party, has in the past had connections with Chavismo. Asked about details of the whirlwind escape, he declined to release any information that he said could endanger others.

FILE - In this May 2, 2019 file photo, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez smiles during a press conference at the gate of the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas, Venezuela. Lopez left the residence where he had been a guest since April 30, 2019 and is leaving Venezuela people close to the opposition leader said on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File)

FILE - In this May 2, 2019 file photo, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez smiles during a press conference at the gate of the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File)MEDELLIN – Prominent opposition activist Leopoldo López has abandoned the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas and left Venezuela after years of frustrated efforts to oust the nation's socialist president, his party said Saturday. It is unclear how López left the ambassador's residence, given the heavy state security presence permanently stationed outside the property. The putsch was easily quashed and López took refuge in the ambassador’s residence. Even as his whereabouts remained unknown, some opposition leaders were praising López’s decision to flee.

Venezuelas government-stacked Supreme Court ordered the takeover of Popular Will Tuesday, July 7, 2020, the latest in a series of moves against President Nicolas Maduros critics before upcoming legislative elections. The chief prosecutor, also a Maduro ally, has been urging the Supreme Court to declare the party a terrorist organization. The government is likely to use the takeover of Popular Will and other opposition parties to provide a faade of democratic participation in the upcoming elections, Gunson said. Though the party's registration was revoked, the all-powerful Constitutional Assembly could pave the way for its inclusion in the upcoming elections with the newly appointed leadership. Our party, loyal to the fight for Venezuelas freedom, does not obey dictatorial impositions._Armario reported from Bogota, Colombia.