Several Colombian political and business leaders have reacted to the results of the elections in Venezuela, in which Nicolás Maduro was re-elected president, amid allegations of fraud and a cloud of doubt and suspicion due to the delay in the counting of votes.
(You may be interested in: Nicolás Maduro remains, once again, with the Presidency of Venezuela).
In the early hours of this Monday, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murilloreferred to the subject, through a message on his account on the social network X, in which he said that “It is important to clear up any doubts about the results. This implies that international observers and monitors present their conclusions on the process”.
In the same message, Foreign Minister Murillo called “so that, as soon as possible, the total counting of the votes, their verification and independent audit can be carried out. The electoral results of such an important day must have all the credibility and legitimacy possible for the good of the region and, above all, of the Venezuelan people.”.
(We also recommend: ‘Hard to believe’: Chilean president questions Venezuelan elections).
For its part, Former President Juan Manuel Santos He said the results were not credible and called on the international community to defend democracy.
“The results in Venezuela are not credible. They cannot be recognized until there is complete transparency and they are endorsed by observers and analysts not committed to the regime. The democratic world must speak out to defend democracy.”said the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Another former president who referred to the issue was Ivan Duke, who demanded “severe sanctions and decisive action by the international community to restore democracy” amid suspicions of electoral fraud and manipulation of voting results.
(Besides: Opposition denounces paralysis of transmission of election results in Venezuela).
“The theft has been consummated: the tyrant Nicolás Maduro has committed electoral fraud to perpetuate himself in power, ignoring the massive support of the Venezuelan people for the heroic democratic resistance led by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González. I strongly call on the international community to take the side of democracy, not recognize the tyrant and exert the greatest pressure to prevent the consolidation of this usurpation of power.”wrote former President Duque upon learning the results.
Elections in Venezuela.
AFP
Rejection of the private sector
In addition, the president of the Colombian American Chamber (AmCham Colombia), María Claudia Lacoutureexpressed his rejection of elections in Venezuela.
“The lack of transparency in the electoral process generates deep doubts and concern that forces us to seriously question the results. The international community must urgently speak out; it is impossible to recognize Nicolás Maduro’s victory without having an independent verification of the votes, in addition to the irregularities in the registration of candidates and the difficulties for thousands of citizens to vote freely.”Lacouture said.
(Here: Colombia calls for guarantees in counting votes in Venezuelan elections).
At the same time, Andi President Bruce Mac Master The union that brings together businessmen and industrialists of the country, said that “It is time to take the side of democracy and pressure the Venezuelan government today to stop it from deepening the fraud, which would also have a tremendous cost for the people of that country. Maduro must be pressured to correct the immense fraud he is about to commit. His friends should advise him and help him in that.”concluded the union leader.
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