Uruguay joined the international community and demanded an “impartial and independent verification” of the results of the elections in Venezuela, in a new gesture of pressure against the government he heads Nicolas Maduro.
The text, which was signed by dozens of countries meeting in Dominican Republic, He made a “firm call for common sense and prudence” in the Caribbean country, almost three weeks before the elections held in the Caribbean country and in the midst of a context of tension that led to the arrest of opposition leaders.
The government signed the letter in the framework of the inauguration in Santo Domingo of the brand new Dominican president, Luis Abinader, at an event attended by the Uruguayan president, Luis Lacalle Pou.
The letter is also signed by countries such as Argentina, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, Guyana, Italy, Morocco, the Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, Suriname, Portugal and the European Union.
Rejection of situations of tension and violence
The signatory nations considered that this is “a crucial moment for Venezuela and the region”, for which reason they urged all social and political actors to “exercise the maximum moderation in their public performances.”
“We urge that the rights be respected democratic principles, as well as the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans and, in particular, the right to demonstrate peacefully and to exercise freedom of expression”, they stated.
The text shared with the Foreign Ministry also referred to the situations of tension and violence. “We see with concern that this is not the current reality in Venezuela. The reports of arbitrary detentions of Venezuelans without due process is alarming, which is why we demand their immediate release,” they said.
In this regard, they stated: “We express our profound rejection of the repression “We commend the demonstrators and the violence that has cost the lives of many Venezuelans in the post-election context. We urgently call on Venezuela to end the violence and release all those who have been detained, including opposition representatives.”
They demand verification of the results by an international body
For all this, they asked for “the urgent return to Venezuela of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, indicating the need to “ensure adequate conditions for him to be able to fully carry out his mandate”.
At the same time, they asked the government to “issue the safe conducts that allow the six people who are seeking asylum who remain in the official residence of the Republic of Argentina, safely withdraw from Venezuelan territory.”
Regarding the lack of presentation of the electoral records and the divergence with a digital version of more than 80% of the electoral records, they requested “the immediate publication of all the original records and the impartial and independent verification of these results, preferably by an international entity, to guarantee respect for the will of the Venezuelan people expressed at the polls.”
“Any delay in this event calls into question the results officially published on August 2, 2024,” warned the ten signatory countries.
“Our nations have appealed to dialogue and understanding to resolve serious conflicts in the past. Today, more than ever, Venezuela must honor that legacy to recover peaceful coexistence, public safety and the political stability who are being threatened by the Venezuelan security authorities themselves,” the international community added.
The letter concluded: “The moment demands a broad, inclusive and good faith dialogue to facilitate a political agreement that fosters national reconciliation, peace, public security and democracy in Venezuela”.
Source: Ambito
