The U.S. Government has supported the initiative of the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, to organize a political forum on Venezuela, although it has warned that the talks initiated in Mexico between the Executive of Nicolás Maduro and the opposition remain »the best» option »to advance the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people».
»Venezuelans deserve to have the same opportunities as Colombians and other peoples of the region to democratically elect their leaders,» said a spokesman for the US State Department consulted by Europa Press.
The »international conference» to which Petro, who recently traveled to Caracas to meet with Maduro, aspires, proposes to lay the foundations of a »road map» for an »effective political dialogue» between the parties. Representatives of Chavismo, as well as other international governments, including the United States, are invited to this forum.
The diplomatic spokesman has not clarified the potential presence of Joe Biden’s Administration, but he did support Petro’s wish to »invite countries to support free and fair elections in Venezuela next year».
Regarding the contacts maintained by Washington, which theoretically does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela, the Biden Administration has limited itself to point out that it maintains regular conversations with its »partners» with a view to promoting »the return of democracy» to the South American country.
Chavism and the opposition resumed their contacts in Mexico in November, with first preliminary agreements which, however, have not been able to solve the mutual distrust, which has resulted in this new process remaining at a standstill.
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has responded to Petro’s plan by emphasizing that »there is already a process» underway, the one in Mexico, and with a »clear» roadmap: »free elections in 2024». »What is missing is political will by Maduro to go beyond rhetoric to concrete measures that allow progress,» he lamented on Twitter.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
