Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018) He assured, this Tuesday, August 27, that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro “lost all legitimacy and must leave” of power, as he warned that the region does not want “another entrenched Nicaragua” in a country neighboring yours.
“The Venezuelan regime has lost all legitimacy and Maduro must leave. This is what is best for the region and particularly for Colombia. We do not want another Nicaragua entrenched in a country of the importance of Venezuela, with which we have 2,200 kilometers of border and a lot of interdependence.“Santos said in a memorandum.
(See: Petro’s strong response to Ortega: ‘At least I don’t drag human rights in my country’).
The former president was summoned to participate, this Tuesday, in a meeting of the Foreign Relations Advisory Commission, which will be led by the current president, Gustavo Petro, and which has as its central theme the Venezuelan crisis following the elections of July 28.
However, Santos said that he would not be able to attend the meeting and that is why he gave the memorandum to President Petro. expressing its position regarding the situation in the neighboring country.
Tuesday’s meeting is the second of the Commission’s meetings in the last two weeks to discuss several issues, mainly that of Venezuela.
(See: After questioning Maduro’s victory, CNE head fears reprisals).
Petro and the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, They insisted, on Saturday, August 24, on the need to disseminate the electoral records “broken down by voting table“, after the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela endorsed Maduro’s victory, which they “took note of.”
“Both presidents remain convinced that the credibility of the electoral process can only be restored through the transparent publication of disaggregated and verifiable data.“, according to a joint statement by the two countries.
Former President Santos, 2016 Nobel Peace Prize winner, He stated that it is “Colombia’s caution in remaining a possible mediator and maintaining channels of communication is understandable.“, although he believes that”That window is closing, which turns prudence into weakness or even complicity.“.
(See: Gabriel Boric’s position on Venezuela distances him from the regional left).
Santos also believes that a “peaceful transition” should be sought and negotiations between the government and the opposition should be advocated, despite the fact that Maduro “has hardened his position.”
“International pressure must be maintained and increased. The possibility of a negotiated transition under the umbrella of the UN Security Council or mediators accepted by the parties could be explored.“, he added.
(See: ‘Violent accomplices’: Venezuela accuses countries that did not recognize Maduro’s victory).
EFE
