BOGOTA. – The chancellor of ColombiaLuis Gilberto Murillo spoke this Sunday, August 4, about the position of Gustavo Petro’s government following the crisis generated in Venezuela following the results of the presidential elections.
In the column “Prudence and conviction in diplomacy for peace”, published in the newspaper TimeMurillo pointed out that Colombia maintains a firm position to defend democracy. She also indicated that “the present and future of democracy in the region are in the hands of the region itself and of actions and statements that really promote it.”
“What is at stake in Venezuela It is life and peace, so Colombia must be firm in its support actions, together with other governments, to achieve understanding between all political sectors in the sister country,” said the Foreign Minister.
Murillo said that the efforts made by Colombia are taking place “within the greater discretion and prudence“He said that at the request of the Venezuelan government and opposition, the Colombian government has worked on efforts to guarantee transparent elections and respect for the results. In addition, he said, President Petro invited political actors to reach an agreement between the parties on post-electoral guarantees.
Vote counting
He also recalled that the Petro government, after the crisis following the election results, asked the Venezuelan authorities for a transparent scrutiny, the counting of wishes and international oversight of the minutes and final results.
“We have put forward an intense agenda of talks with the governments of Mexico and Brazil, both at the level of presidents and foreign ministers, as well as with the Government and all political sectors of Venezuela, and we have consulted with other governments, with the clear purpose of creating the necessary conditions and seeking an agreement for coexistence and political peace in the sister country,” said the Chancellor.
“Controversies regarding the electoral process must be resolved through institutional channels. The fundamental principle of popular sovereignty must be respected through impartial verification of the results,” the governments of Lula Da Silva, Gustavo Petro and Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated on August 1. They also urged political and social actors “to exercise maximum caution and restraint in their demonstrations and public events in order to avoid an escalation of violent episodes.”
In his column, Luis Gilberto Murillo once again explained the reasons why Colombia abstained from voting on the “Draft Resolution on the elections in Venezuela of July 28, 2024” at the OAS.
“We remember that Venezuela has not been part of this multilateral scenario since 2019, so any decision taken there has no real impact on the Venezuelan situation,” he argued.
On this point, he stressed that the position of the Petro government has not been ambiguous.
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Source: Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo / El Tiempo
