“Venezuela’s elections were not free, as they were held under an economic blockade that became explicit extortion.”
President, Gustavo Petro..
Camila Díaz – RCN Radio.
President Gustavo Petro considered that the elections in Venezuela were not free due to the economic blockade by the United States. The president went further and asked that there be dialogue in the neighboring country that would allow “a new possibility of free expression for the people of Venezuela.” “.
“If the elections in Venezuela were not free, as they were carried out under the economic blockade that became an explicit extortion, it is important to maintain the thesis of the broadest possible political dialogue in Venezuela, the comprehensive lifting of the blockade and a new possibility of free expression of the people of Venezuela,” said the Colombian head of state.
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It is worth remembering that The head of state had said last Thursday that his Government had distanced itself from the regime, by not recognizing Maduro since the electoral records were not presented to confirm his victory at the polls.
Petro’s statements are given in the midst of the controversies that have arisen due to the illegitimate possession of Nicolás Maduro as president of Venezuela, which was attended as a representative by the ambassador in Caracas, Milton Rengifo.
However, Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo considered that the elections were neither free nor transparent. Therefore, it does not recognize the results of these elections without the presentation of the voting records.
“Colombia has responsibly decided to maintain bilateral relations with Venezuela, which does not mean an endorsement of the electoral results,” said Foreign Minister Murillo.
He pointed out that Colombia promotes responsible and strategic diplomacy that has the purpose of building relationships sustainable over time that respond to national interests.
Foreign Minister Murillo urged the Venezuelan authorities to at all times and circumstances provide full guarantees for the exercise of the right to political opposition and social mobilization, as fundamental elements of the set of civil and political rights in any democracy.
Source: Integrated Information System.
