The leader of the opposition in Venezuela who claims to have defeated Maduro meets with Biden

President Biden on Monday met with the leader of the opposition in Venezuela Edmundo González at the White House before the opening of Venezuela on Friday President Nicolas Maduro the third time after them a hotly contested election.

The United States and many European countries have rejected Maduro’s claim to victory in the election, which was upheld by Venezuela’s Supreme Court in August. In November, the US government recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González as president-elect.

The White House said Mr. Biden spoke with González about restoring democracy in Venezuela and that “the victory of the González campaign should be honored with a peaceful transition to democratic governance.” Mr. Biden also said he will be monitoring plans for protests on Jan. 9.

Mr. Biden said in his meeting that the US will continue to arrest Maduro and his representatives for their actions against democracy and repression, according to the White House reading.

González told reporters that they had a long, fruitful, and spirited conversation and thanked Mr. Biden for his support. His team is also in contact with the team of President-elect Donald Trump.

González’s visit to the White House is the first stop in an international tour of opposition to the inauguration of Venezuela and gathering of international support. He has been living in exile in Spain since a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest warrant following July’s presidential election.

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of the election hours after polls closed. Electoral authorities did not provide detailed vote tallies, unlike in previous presidential elections.

Before the election, the United States made an agreement with the Maduro government that the US would temporarily lift sanctions on Venezuelan oil and gas in exchange for a commitment to free and fair elections.

Maduro’s regime did not uphold its end of the deal and sanctions were reinstated. In September, the US sanctioned 180 Venezuelan officials for not accepting the election results and for human rights abuses including the killing, repression, and mass arrests of protesters.