Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo He stated, this Tuesday, August 6, The Government’s concern about violence in Venezuela after the presidential elections on July 28 and called for “that there be much caution, much prudence” in that sense.
“We have said that obviously concerns must be expressed and any act that leads to an increase in violence or that generates repression or that generates the restriction of political expression of any sector must be rejected.“the foreign minister told reporters during a visit to the city of Riohacha.
(See: Venezuelan military reaffirms loyalty to Maduro and rejects opposition requests).
Murillo met in Riohacha, capital of the Caribbean department of La Guajira, with mayors of the border area with Venezuela and other authorities to to analyze the crisis in the neighboring country following the presidential elections and the possibility of increased migratory flows for this reason.
“In any scenario, people’s rights, their political, social, economic, and environmental rights, are respected and must be respected.“, the chancellor stressed.
According to non-governmental organizations, At least 13 people have been killed in protests against the election results that gave victory to President Nicolás Maduro, and more than 2,000 have been arrested, including at least 91 teenagers.
Murillo recalled that President Gustavo Petro, “He proposed very early on that the fact that Venezuela could return to the Inter-American Human Rights System“which was launched more than four years ago, to ensure respect for fundamental rights.
(See: The US clarified that it does not recognize Gonzalez as Venezuelan president).
Specifically, Petro stated that “The opposition and Maduro must reach a political agreement because, if not, the exodus and war will break out in all of America.His comment came as he addressed the U.S. position that the parties should negotiate a democratic transition.
The Colombian president also noted that Colombia and Venezuela, “As neighbors and sister peoples,” they are “in an extremely vulnerable situation,” and the first thing they must “defend is the people and peace.”
“My government does not fall into the strategy of war and the separation of peoples. The way is to seek the truth and, based on it, achieve solutions in favor of democracy.“, Petro added.
(See: Venezuela: Inflation rises to 4% in July, 1.6% more than in June).
President Gustavo Petro
International mediation
Chancellor Murillo also referred to The mediating task of the presidents of Colombia, Brazil and Mexico to help overcome the Venezuelan crisis and said he hopes “that this week and next they can, if they so decide, communicate the progress they have made.”
“Their main concern is obviously to help or facilitate, to support the Venezuelan people so that they find solutions that guarantee peace and political coexistence in the country, because obviously what happens in Venezuela has a very direct implication, especially in the Colombian case, in the Brazilian case.“he said about the border conditions of these two countries.
(See: Venezuelan prosecutors open criminal investigation against Maria Corina Machado).
The foreign minister added that Colombia “stated its position and that is that the counting of votes should be completed” and “that the minutes and the data from the tables can be reviewed in a very transparent manner.”
Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo.
“Colombia has suggested that there could be some kind of independent and hopefully international observation, oversight, review or audit.“, he said.
However, he stressed that this group of three countries “supports and participates in whatever is requested of them” but “Venezuela has its own dynamic and that is what will condition some times.”
EFE
