Colombia expels Juan Guaidó from the country
The Colombian Foreign Ministry has confirmed the expulsion from the country of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, alleging that he «was in Bogota in an irregular manner». «In the afternoon hours Migration Colombia took Mr. Juan Guaidó, a Venezuelan national who was in Bogota irregularly, to El Dorado airport with the intention of verifying his departure on a commercial airline to the United States, during the night,» the Ministry confirmed through a statement on Twitter.
Guaidó has bought his ticket to fly
They have also reported that Guaidó himself has purchased his ticket to fly on the commercial airline, highlighting that «it is not true then that the national government has arranged a plane to transfer Mr. Guaidó to that country.»
Venezuelan opposition claims dictatorship has spread to Colombia
In a video posted on his social networks, Guaidó has spoken from the commercial plane transporting him to the United States and responded to his expulsion from Colombia, calling it «regrettable». «After 60 hours on the road to get to Bogota, jumping the persecution of the dictatorship, defying the Maduro regime, they are taking me out of Colombia. The persecution of the dictatorship unfortunately extended today to Colombia,» he has assured.
He denounces threats to his family
He also affirmed that «it was the Colombian Foreign Minister (Alvaro) Leyva who invited me to listen to the opposition», and denounced «threats» to his family. He assured to respect «the internal regulations» of Colombia, and detailed that the immigration agents who accompanied him to the plane to make sure he was leaving the country «were very respectful».
Respect for human rights
«Let’s hope that Colombia’s institutions respond, let’s hope that the countries at the summit tomorrow can talk about democracy, respect for human rights, and the integrity of those who are being persecuted today, not only in Venezuela but throughout the world,» he said.
Surprise trip
Guaidó had traveled by surprise to Colombia this Monday to attend the international summit of political dialogue on Venezuela that will take place this Tuesday, organized by the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro. However, the Colombian government confirmed shortly thereafter that Guaidó was not invited to the summit, and that only invited states would participate in the talks.
An increase in threats against him in Venezuela
The opposition leader, who in a statement informed of his arrival in Colombia had denounced an increase of threats against him in Venezuela, assumed that leaving the country implies a «risk», but saw the need to «go out again to seek support from the world for Venezuelans». Furthermore, he assured that he had entered Colombia «the same way millions of Venezuelans have done (…), on foot».
