BOGOTA.- The Colombian government announced Thursday that it will not send observers to the upcoming presidential election in Venezuela, where dictator Nicolás Maduro is seeking a third term.
This decision by Colombia occurs amid growing questions from Venezuelan opposition sectors that denounce impediments by the regime to their participation in the electoral process.
The Colombian Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, explained in Bogotá that, although the possibility of sending an observation mission was initially considered, it was not possible to conform it to the technical standards required by the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE), a recognized non-governmental organization. Colombian with 18 years of experience in electoral monitoring.
Instead of a technical mission, Murillo reported that “some Colombian personalities” will be present in the electoral process, although he did not specify who or at what stages.
Revocation
The Colombian decision comes shortly after the pro-government Venezuelan electoral authorities revoked the invitation to the European Union to send observers, in retaliation for the European bloc’s decision to maintain sanctions against Venezuelan individuals accused of repression and undermining democracy. despite withdrawing other sanctions.
Venezuela extended invitations to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Carter Center and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), but the presence of these entities in the July 28 elections has not yet been confirmed.
Source: AP
