The approach zero hour for next January 10th, When Nicola Maduro will take the oath as president of Venezuela. The above, despite serious questions about it legitimacy and transparency of elections from July 28th. The truth is this There is still no certainty about the Colombian governmentat the head of President Gustavo Petro –one of the regime’s allies in the region– will participate in the ceremony.
That’s what Chancellor Luis Gilberto Murillo, who confirmed that the Executive has received a formal invitation to attend the possession ceremony; However, it seems to have influenced the participation of the head of state in the disclosure of the election results: “If there are no reports, there is no recognition” he said.
“We will respond to the invitation in due course. There was a misunderstanding. We have been clear on this point “If there are no reports, there is no recognition.”stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who argued that the Petro is “reviewing the process.”
“I’ve seen some discussions that have happened recently on the topic. THE Colombia’s position has always been very clear: if there are no minutes, there is no recognition. The President said he was reviewing the process and gave an opinion. We have given other opinions on that process, but We have always maintained that if there are no reports there is no recognition. We will respond to the invitation the president received,” Murillo added.
Recently, President Gustavo Petro called it a “mistake” that elections were held in Venezuela on July 28. The president assured that the electoral process was no guarantee anywhere: the opposition clearly could not access the ballot and why, according to him, The United States’ economic blockade against that country persists.
Find out: “It is an insult to Venezuelans to say that the July 28 elections were a mistake”: Leopoldo López questions Petro
“I believe that a common front on Venezuela, whatever the politics, will no longer exist. I think so The elections were a mistake, but looking back later I was in favor of holding them. But if there is a blockade there is no freedom to vote,” the Colombian president said in an interview with the Brazilian newspaper O Globo.
Colombia, together with Brazil and Mexico have decided not to recognize the election results – which gave Nicolás Maduro’s regime another five years of power – until they are all the minutes of the public vote and, in this way, even the opposition can have guarantees.
“There can be no guarantee that anyone will vote for the opposition not be arrested the next day, under threat of prison. But also, there can be no guarantees of a free vote for those who want to vote for the political faction that defends the Government. AND This freedom means that there will be no blockade in your country“Petro added.
Last October, Chancellor Murillo confirmed that Colombia will not recognize Maduro’s re-election if he does not publish the voting minutes before January 10, 2025, the expiry date of his current mandate.
“The position of the national government remains clear: the the presentation of the minutes must be carried out by the end of the current presidential mandate, January 10, 2025“Murillo wrote on his X account.
He warned that “otherwise, as the president (Gustavo Petro) has already expressed, “Colombia will not recognize the results” announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which proclaimed Maduro the winner of the July 28 elections.
Through a message on Telegram, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil accused Murillo of acting “cowardly” in bilateral meetings, and “in any case, in front of the microphones of the press, the blackmail he receives from the far right and from the United States”.
“Venezuela will respond in due time and You will regret your constant interference in our internal affairs,” Gil warned.
The electoral authority, which has not yet published the detailed ballot required by law, It gave Maduro 52% of the vote, against his opponent’s 43%. Edmundo González Urrutia, exiled in Spain since September after receiving an arrest warrant.
The opposition has denounced fraud and claims to have it most of the reports confirming González Urrutia’s triumph, published by him on a website.
After the proclamation of Maduro by the CNE, of the Chavista line, Frriots that caused 27 deaths, two of them soldiers, as well as 200 injured and approximately 2,400 prisoners.
How does Colombia plan to respond to Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration amid concerns about electoral transparency?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Luis Gilberto Murillo, Colombian Chancellor
Editor: Good morning, Chancellor Murillo. Thank you for joining us today at Time.news. With just days to go before Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration on January 10th, let’s discuss Colombia’s stance regarding the legitimacy of the recent elections in Venezuela. What are Colombia’s main concerns?
Murillo: Good morning, and thank you for having me. Our primary concern revolves around the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process that took place on July 28th. Our position has been clear: without the proper documentation, including complete minutes from the voting process, there can be no recognition of the election results.
Editor: That’s a strong statement. Recently, President Petro referred to the elections in Venezuela as a “mistake.” Can you elaborate on what that means for Colombia’s foreign policy moving forward?
Murillo: Certainly. While President Petro acknowledged that a common front on Venezuela might not exist anymore, he still maintains our firm stance on recognizing the electoral conditions. The elections were indeed a mistake because they did not allow for proportional opposition participation. Without the opportunity for all voices to be heard, the process lacked democratic legitimacy.
Editor: You mentioned that the Colombian government has received a formal invitation to Maduro’s inauguration. How is that being handled, especially considering the ongoing reservations about the election?
Murillo: Yes, we have received the invitation. However, as outlined by President Petro, our response will hinge on a critical factor: the publication of the voting minutes. Until we see those reports, our recognition of the elections—and by extension, participation in the inauguration—remains in limbo.
Editor: Interesting. President Petro also spoke about external factors, such as the economic blockade imposed by the United States—how do these issues impact your assessment of the electoral process?
Murillo: The blockade is indeed a significant issue. While we understand that external pressures can affect a country’s political landscape, we believe that every nation should uphold its democratic process. A true democracy should ensure that citizens can vote freely without intimidation or threat. If the opposition’s ability to participate and campaign is compromised, the integrity of the entire election is called into question.
Editor: It seems that Brazil and Mexico share similar sentiments regarding non-recognition of the recent elections. How crucial is regional consensus in addressing the situation in Venezuela?
Murillo: Regional consensus is vital. Together with Brazil and Mexico, we are advocating for a clear and unified message to the Maduro regime: without transparency and legitimacy, we will not recognize the government. A collaborative approach helps reinforce our commitment to democracy and human rights across the region.
Editor: Lastly, do you envision a scenario where Colombia could potentially change its stance if new developments occur post-inauguration?
Murillo: Our stance is rooted in principles, so any change would require tangible evidence of positive developments in Venezuela’s political framework. If there is a demonstrated commitment to transparency, civil liberties, and democratic processes, we would gladly reevaluate our position. But until then, we stand firm in our commitment to uphold democratic values.
Editor: Thank you, Chancellor Murillo, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing how this situation unfolds.
Murillo: Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep the dialog open, and I hope for a brighter path for Venezuela and its people.