This February 25 and 26 the Permanent Commission on Foreign Policy, Sovereignty and Integration of the National Assembly (2015) toured Italy, the work agenda focused on three fundamental pillars to advance towards a democratic transition in Venezuela: the full release of political prisoners, the safe return of exiles and the guarantee of the right to vote for the Venezuelan diaspora.
The delegation was led by the president of the commission, deputy Arming Weaponstogether with the deputy in exile Mariela Magallanes, representative of the Venezuelan community in Italy. During the tour in Rome, they held meetings with Senator Giulio Terzi; Senator Stefania Craxi; Senator Alessandro Alfieri; and deputy Lia Quartapelle, with whom they addressed the institutional situation of the country and the need for real conditions for a verifiable democratic opening.
Freedom as a starting point
Armas stressed that the democratic transition cannot be limited to political declarations, but must be supported by concrete facts that restore popular sovereignty.
“Political freedom cannot coexist with citizens detained for reasons of conscience or with Venezuelans forced into exile. Without full freedoms there can be no legitimate process,” he stated.
Along the same lines, Magallanes insisted that the release of political prisoners is an essential condition for any stabilization process.
“We cannot talk about a true transition to democracy as long as there are political prisoners and persecution continues. Full freedom is a basic requirement to rebuild the rule of law,” he said.
The commission warned that the cessation of political persecution and the restitution of civil and political rights constitute the first step to generate institutional trust.
Return of exiles as a democratic guarantee
Magallanes emphasized that the return of Venezuelans forced into exile must be a structural part of the democratic process.
“The return of exiles is not a secondary issue. It is a right. There can be no institutional reconstruction without guaranteeing that those who were forced to leave the country can return safely and with full legal guarantees,” said the parliamentarian.
Armas added that the democratic transition must be inclusive and contemplate all sectors of the country, including the diaspora, which represents a significant part of the Venezuelan electorate.
Free elections and diaspora vote
Both parliamentarians agreed that the final objective of the current political stage must be the holding of truly free, verifiable and competitive elections.
Magallanes explained that the Commission is working on specific proposals to guarantee the electoral participation of Venezuelans abroad.
“We are working on mechanisms that will guarantee the vote of the diaspora in exile, who also has the right to decide the future of the country,” he stated.
For his part, Armas pointed out that any electoral process must have clear institutional guarantees, separation of powers and conditions that allow the full participation of all citizens.
“The democratic transition is not a political concession: it is a constitutional demand that involves restoring rights and allowing the people to decide in freedom,” he pointed out.
International support and strategic coherence
During the agenda developed in Rome, Armas reiterated the importance of maintaining the support of the international community and to strengthen political alliances in Europe that contribute to a sustainable democratic path.
Magallanes highlighted that, despite the complexity of the Venezuelan political moment, the Italian parliamentary representatives with whom they met reaffirmed their support for the defense of human rights, political pluralism and the rule of law in Venezuela.
