Petro proposes a ‘national front’ for the crisis in Venezuela: how it would work

He President Gustavo Petro suggested for Venezuela a “national front“like the one that occurred in Colombia in the 20th century in which liberals and conservatives They took turns in power as they went along.transient“towards a”definitive solution“to the crisis that the neighbouring country is experiencing following the elections.

“A political solution for Venezuela that brings peace and prosperity to its people depends on Nicolás Maduro. The experience of the Colombian National Front is an experience that, if used temporarily, can help achieve a definitive solution.“, Petro alleged in a message on his X account.

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The National Front was a political pact between the Liberal and Conservative parties that was in force between the years 1958 and 1974 and which served to oust from power the General Gustavo Rojas Pinillawho wanted to remain as head of state in perpetuity.

This is a similar idea to that outlined by the Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvawho in an interview referred to the Venezuelan elections and proposed two solutions: the formation of a coalition government that includes members of Chavismo and the opposition or the holding of new elections.

The Brazilian reiterated the need for the Venezuelan authorities to disclose the minutes of the elections of the past July 28th and insisted that “until now“It is not known who won the election because the minutes were not released and the result could not be independently verified.

Petro and Lula held this Wednesday a telephone conversation to try to mediate in the crisis that opened in the Caribbean country after the elections of July 28.

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The discussion on the call remained confidential, according to a source close to the Colombian government. but they could have talked about this proposal that they have now both suggested individually.

Also, this Thursday the Foreign Ministers of Colombia, Luis Gilberto Murillo, and of Brazil, Mauro Vieirawill meet in Bogotá with Venezuela as the central theme.

The mediation of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil

Last week, the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduroassured that he had pending to speak with Petro, Lula and with the Mexican Andres Manuel Lopez Obradorwho have maintained a balanced stance, without recognising any winner and calling for the publication of the election records.

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According to these three countries, National Electoral Council (CNE) “It is legally responsible for the transparent disclosure of election results“.

In a joint note released last week, the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico They said they will continue their consultations of “high level“, but with full respect for the”sovereignty and the will of the Venezuelan people“.

Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela

EFE

The proclaimed victory of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, by the CNE for a third consecutive term, has been rejected and described as “fraud” for the majority opposition and questioned by several foreign governments and international monitoring groups.

The Venezuelan opposition has called for protests against the official results next Saturday, and in Colombia they are expected to take place in the country’s main cities.

EFE