Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil, when questioned about the situation of political prisoners, assured that in Venezuela there is “a rule of law that works, that works”, with institutions “that function harmoniously” such as the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office, People and other justice bodies
During his visit to the city of Cali, within the framework of COP16, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil denied the existence of political prisoners in the country.
«In Venezuela there are no political prisoners, in Venezuela there is not a single political prisoner. Venezuela is a country free of political prisoners. “There is peace in Venezuela,” the official said this Tuesday when asked by Blu Radio.
After being questioned about the complaints of human rights violations of people detained, including adolescents, for political reasons, the chancellor limited himself to answering that in Venezuela there is “a rule of law that works, that works”, with institutions ” that function in a harmonious manner” such as the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office and other justice bodies.
“I invite you to go to Venezuela, see the peace and growth that we are achieving,” he expressed.
National and international organizations have denounced the intensification of repression in the electoral context, especially after the presidential elections where the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced Nicolás Maduro as the winner.
The Venezuelan Penal Forum has said that, as of October 25, there are 1,953 political prisoners throughout the country, including 1,824 people detained after the elections. The Fact-Finding Mission and the Office of the High Commissioner have also noted the existence of arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, torture and sexual violence against people arrested for political reasons after July 28.
Chancellor Gil reiterated that the process was legitimate and that the only entity authorized to validate the results is the CNE, in coordination with the Supreme Court of Justice.
«The one who says who wins in Venezuela is the people of Venezuela through their National Council. “The opposition in 25 years has not recognized any election in Venezuela,” said Gil, referring to the accusations of fraud as a “repeated discourse” from Washington and its allies.
Despite the sanctions imposed by the United States, Gil stated that the Venezuelan economy has grown in recent years and reached an increase of 8.5% in the first half of 2024.
He also said that Venezuela would be on track to exceed 10% growth by the end of the year “and we are seeing a country at peace and working.”
Likewise, he dismissed the influence of the upcoming presidential elections in the United States on bilateral relations between both countries. “We care little who governs in the United States, North American imperialism is always the enemy of the Venezuelan people, whoever governs.”
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