This unprecedented event, promoted by Senators Stefania Craxi, of the Forza Italia party, and Pier Ferdinando Casini, leader of the Centrists for Europe party, occurred in the midst of a debate on the presidential elections scheduled in the South American nation for next Sunday, July 28.
The discussion included the participation of seven senators of various political tendencies and showed the great concern of Italian legislators about the social and human rights crisis suffered by Venezuelans. In addition, the participation of Vice-Chancellor Maria Tripodi was noteworthy, who assured that the Italian government is closely following the Venezuelan situation, highlighting the importance of the international community supporting a peaceful transition in the country.
Stefania Craxi (Forza Italia): “Venezuela deserves a free future”
Senator Stefania Craxi opened the debate by stressing the need for a transparent electoral process: “This is a decisive moment. Venezuela deserves a free future after having gone through countless moral and material sufferings… We have always believed that the only peaceful way out is through a transparent electoral process.”
He recalled that in recent months the Italian Senate approved a resolution demanding free elections in Venezuela, in addition to the efforts of the Italian government before the international community. He also denounced the violence suffered by opponents of the Maduro regime, highlighting the arbitrary exclusion of María Corina Machado from the elections.
“Even in the last few hours, with a wave of arbitrary arrests and a series of restrictive measures, very hard blows have been dealt, expressly aimed at sowing fear among citizens and curbing their desire to write a new page in the history of Venezuela,” he said.
Craxi stressed the importance of supporting the restoration of civil and political rights of Venezuelans, reaffirming Italy’s commitment in this regard. “In these decisive hours, we must be very attentive,” he said, urging the international community to support the struggle of Venezuelans, “so that the desire for freedom of this people does not lose intensity.”
Pier Ferdinando Casini (Centrists for Europe): “We want the electoral process to be serious”
Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini expressed his solidarity with the Italians in Venezuela “who are experiencing the contradictions of this country” and with the millions of Venezuelans who have been forced to emigrate. “We have been following the situation in Venezuela for years” and, although the issue used to be divisive, today “everyone, from the first to the last in this room, wants the electoral process to be serious,” he said.
Casini stressed the importance of ensuring a peaceful transition: “I am in favour of providing all possible guarantees to those who must eventually leave power” to avoid a scenario of revenge. He added that “justice cannot always triumph completely” and that “many times compromises in politics are inevitable” in order to achieve a smooth transition.
Finally, he recalled the recent words of Brazilian President Lula da Silva: “Whoever loses the elections should have a reality check, not a bloodbath. Maduro must learn, when you win you stay, when you lose you leave and prepare to run another election,” he concluded.
Ivan Scalfarotto (Italia Viva): “The free world is watching very closely”
Senator Ivan Scalfarotto expressed his satisfaction with the attention paid by the Italian Senate to the upcoming elections in Venezuela, recalling that these elections are based on an international agreement signed in Barbados, which has been violated. “One of the conditions was that the political parties could freely choose their candidates,” he said, explaining that the Maduro regime instead excluded Maria Corina Machado, who won the primaries with more than 90% of the votes.
Scalfarotto expressed skepticism about the integrity of the process, because “Maduro has never respected the will of his people” and recalled his history of ignoring adverse results, such as when he lost his majority in Parliament and dismissed it. He also emphasized that, despite the exclusion of the European Union delegation as an observer, “this Parliament, the parliaments of the free world, watch these elections with extreme attention.”
He harshly criticised the Chavista regime, which has transformed the richest country in Latin America into one of the poorest, despite being a major oil producer; and highlighted serious problems such as mass migration, torture, illegal arrests and electoral fraud. “We know who their allies are – Russia, China, Iran, the rogue states – but the democratic world is still strong enough to make its voice heard, even from a distance,” he warned.
Mariastella Gelmini (Italia Viva): “We will not leave them alone”
Mariastella Gelmini expressed her gratitude for the debate on the elections in Venezuela, stressing the importance of not underestimating this event. “We know that we are in a time when, with the elections in the United States and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the risk is to remain silent, not to give the proper importance to an event that represents a milestone for the Venezuelan people,” she stressed.
The senator highlighted the serious crisis in Venezuela, mentioning that “the GDP has fallen by 80%, poverty reaches 90% and the minimum wage is only 3.5 dollars a month.” She added that “7 million Venezuelans have fled and 10 thousand citizens have been executed.” She stressed that “we will not leave Venezuelans alone nor will we allow Maduro to continue these actions unchecked.”
He concluded with a call to action, recalling the commitment of the Italian Senate to defend “the rule of law, the civil and political rights of Venezuelans,” as well as to “protect the Italian community in Venezuela and Italian companies in the country.” Gelmini said that, although he is not optimistic, work is being done to ensure that “Venezuela has access to free and democratic elections,” reaffirming that “the defense of freedom, democracy and human rights is not only in our thoughts but also in our actions.”
Bruno Marton (Movimento 5 Stelle): “The atmosphere is surreal”
Senator Bruno Marton addressed the importance of the presidential elections for Venezuela. “I hope that these elections mark a crucial change for the Venezuelan people,” he said, highlighting the suffering of the population that has had to emigrate.
He also criticised the support of Russia and China for Nicolás Maduro. “Moscow has provided military and financial support, while Beijing has invested in the Venezuelan energy sector.” And he questioned whether US sanctions have really been useful in avoiding this scenario.
The senator expressed concern about the electoral environment, pointing out the exclusion of international observers and the surreal atmosphere with “indiscriminate arrests and intimidation.” Finally, Marton showed skepticism about the transparency of the process, highlighting that “the ballot clearly favors Maduro” and denounced that many Venezuelans abroad will not be able to vote. He concluded by thanking his colleagues for keeping the issue on the international agenda and reiterated the need to keep the situation in Venezuela in high focus.
Marco Dreosto (Lega): “Long live freedom, down with communism!”
Senator Marco Dreosto strongly condemned the serious situation in Venezuela. “The guilt of the Maduro regime is evident. Through the use of force, the manipulation of elections and rampant corruption, it has destroyed the foundations of Venezuelan society. Communism has failed miserably to guarantee the well-being and freedom of the Venezuelan people, bringing with it only oppression and misery, as we have seen happen on many other occasions in history.”
Dreosto criticised the regime’s economic policies, which have led the country into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with rampant inflation and a paralysed economy. He highlighted the suffering of the Italian community in Venezuela, whose economic activities have been devastated and many families have been separated. “The international community must raise its voice and push for the upcoming elections to be free, transparent and fair,” he stressed.
Finally, he called on international organizations, human rights organizations and democratic countries to join in a common effort to monitor the elections, denounce irregularities and support the Venezuelan people in their struggle for freedom. “Venezuela deserves a better future, a future in which justice and democracy prevail over oppression and corruption… Long live free Venezuela! Long live freedom! Down with communism!” he said.
Lucio Malan (Fratelli d’Italia): “We are with the Venezuelan people”
Senator Lucio Malan stressed the importance of all political forces speaking out in favour of the regularity of the upcoming elections in Venezuela, pointing out that there are already “strong shadows” in the electoral process. He stressed that Italy will not be indifferent to possible electoral irregularities and will respond accordingly.
The senator also condemned the damage caused by the Maduro dictatorship, stressing that “people have even died from hunger” and that millions of Venezuelans have fled the country. He stressed that the situation affects the Italian community in Venezuela, with some 160,000 Italians registered in the country and one and a half million Venezuelans of Italian origin. “We are on the side of the Venezuelan people,” Malan concluded, stressing Italy’s commitment to ensuring fair elections and supporting Venezuela’s recovery.
Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Tripoli: “We are closely monitoring the situation”
At the end of the debate, the Vice Chancellor Maria Tripoli He thanked the senators for their interventions on the upcoming elections in Venezuela and stressed the importance of the Senate keeping its attention on a country so strategic for Latin America, with a significant Italian community. He underlined Italy’s commitment to the situation in Venezuela and its coordination with European and G7 partners to guarantee free, transparent and competitive elections.
“We also consider the role of regional actors closer to Venezuela, such as Colombia and Brazil, which, as is known, holds the G20 Presidency, to be very important. Free, credible, transparent and competitive elections are necessary, capable of activating a process of political reconciliation. This is the only way through which the Venezuelan people can emerge from the current economic, social and humanitarian crisis.”
Tripoli He stressed the need for independent electoral observation and assured that Italy continues to support Italian-Venezuelan citizens who have been detained or disappeared, as well as Venezuelans who have left the country, with a significant contribution of almost 9 million euros in aid through international cooperation. Finally, he assured that Italy will remain vigilant to ensure that all democratic rules are respected until election day.
@Marinellys
