Santo Domingo.-The Embassy and Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Venezuela closed their doors yesterday, and their diplomatic and consular staff returned to the country following Nicolás Maduro’s decision to suspend diplomatic relations.
The Dominican representatives returned between the afternoon and the evening of yesterday through the Las Americas International Airport (AILA), where they were received by a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jeres Suriel, Chargé d’Affaires of the Dominican Republic in Venezuela, thanked President Luis Abinader for his efforts and support in returning to his homeland after setting foot on national territory.
“In difficult situations, one always harbors fears, that is natural. However, we were always confident that our authorities would support us, as has happened,” said Suriel when approached.
He said that they did not encounter any problems in arriving and boarding the plane that brought them.
He was joined by Councillor José Gil, Minister Counsellor Williams Polanco, his wife Amy Mendieta, his daughter Johanny Arce, military attaché Colonel Rudyard Fernández and his wife Eudys Martínez and Nuris Abud, among others.
The return comes hours after the Venezuelan government demanded that seven countries, including the Dominican Republic, immediately withdraw their representatives from that territory.
The Venezuelan government announced last Monday the temporary suspension of commercial air flights to and from the Dominican Republic and Panama starting at 8:00 pm today, causing a race against time to organize the return of diplomats, consular staff and their families.
Former President Leonel Fernández was brought from Venezuela on a Sky Cana plane hired by the Dominican Government.
Earlier, former President Leonel Fernández returned to the country on a private flight through the Joaquín Balaguer International Airport from Venezuela, where he participated as an observer in the elections held last Sunday, July 28, in that nation.
Suspension
Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez regretted what happened, which he described as a “suspension” of relations and not a break, and expressed his confidence in being able to resume contacts with Venezuela in the future, after that country demanded the withdrawal of representatives from this and six other states in the face of what it considers interference in its internal affairs.
Alvarez clarified that the country has not made the decision to break diplomatic relations with Venezuela, whose government has requested the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel from seven Latin American countries, including the Dominican Republic, who are demanding a complete review of the election results and are calling for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS).
“The Dominican Republic did not make the decision of what we consider to be a suspension, not a breaking off of relations, therefore, we are complying with the regrettable decision of the Venezuelan government to withdraw all our personnel from Caracas,” said the foreign minister.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided an email and telephone number for contact in case “Dominicans residing in Venezuela require any assistance.”
The United States government expressed its “concern” over the Venezuelan government’s decision to expel diplomatic representations from several Latin American countries following the disputed presidential elections in which, according to the National Electoral Council (CNE), Nicolás Maduro won.
Pastors pray and ask for intervention in Venezuela
Protest. Pastors and Venezuelans living in the country gathered behind the Venezuelan Embassy, where they held a peaceful protest.
There, Pastor Miguel Fernández, of the Dominican Confraternity of Evangelical Leaders, asked the international community to intervene for Venezuela and to enforce the popular will that was expressed on July 28.
The embassy, located in the Mirador Sur sector, is guarded by a dozen National Police officers, as people of various ages began to gather there as evening fell.
With painted faces, flags in hand and signs that read “Free Venezuela,” they sang their national anthem, prayed in solidarity and demanded transparent elections.
*By Dayana Acosta/Joan Vargas
