Santo Domingo. – The presidential spokesperson and director of Communication and Government Strategy, Homero Figueroa, announced the visit to the country of Mr. Edmundo González Urrutia, representative of the Venezuelan Democratic Movement, accompanied by a delegation of eight former presidents who are members of the IDEA Group and its general secretary.
The central purpose of the visit, scheduled for January 9, is to express firm support for democracy, human rights and institutions in Venezuela.
The act symbolizes the regional commitment to democratic values and legitimate governance in Latin America.
Official Agenda
Press Release 🗞️
Edmundo González Urrutia and several former presidents of the IDEA Group will participate in an Act to Support Democracy in Venezuela, at the National Palace on January 9, with the presence of President Luis Abinader.https://t.co/Hlb2QcrJcU pic.twitter.com/J4YyjFKzbm
— Dominican Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@MIREXRD) January 4, 2025
The delegation will be received on Thursday, January 9 at the International Airport of the Americas by officials of the Dominican Government and members of the Directorate of State Ceremonial and Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, they will move to the National Palace, where they will be received by President Luis Abinader and other members of the cabinet.
That same day, at 11:10 am, an event will be held in the Ambassadors’ Hall of the National Palace. The event will focus on the challenges and opportunities for democratic strengthening in Venezuela and will feature interventions by:
• Roberto Álvarez, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• A former president representing the IDEA Group.
• Edmundo González, Venezuelan opposition candidate.
• Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic.
Private Hearing
After the event, President Abinader will hold a private audience with Edmundo González Urrutia and the former presidents, accompanied by senior officials of the Dominican Government.
In this meeting, issues related to the political situation in Venezuela, the challenges for democracy in the region and the opportunities for a peaceful and orderly transition will be addressed.
Official lunch and diplomatic meeting
At 12:15 pm, President Abinader will offer a lunch-meeting in the Green Room of the National Palace, in honor of the visiting delegation. Among the attendees are:
• Raquel Peña, vice president of the Republic.
• Roberto Álvarez, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• José Ignacio Paliza, Minister of the Presidency.
• Andrés Bautista, Administrative Minister of the Presidency.
• Víctor (Ito) Bisonó, Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs.
Participation of former presidents:
The international delegation will be made up of prominent leaders from the region, who have played an active role in the defense of democracy and human rights in Latin America. Among the confirmed former presidents are:
1. Hipólito Mejía (Dominican Republic).
2. Jorge Quiroga (Bolivia).
3. Laura Chinchilla (Costa Rica).
4. Andrés Pastrana (Colombia).
5. Jamil Mahuad (Ecuador).
6. Felipe Calderón (Mexico).
7. Vicente Fox (Mexico).
8. Mario Abdo Benitez (Paraguay)
9. Asdrubal Aguiar, IDEA general secretary
President Luis Abinader has reiterated his willingness to continue supporting initiatives that promote peace, respect for sovereignty and sustainable development in Latin America.
