Venezuela invites Colombia to serve as an observer in presidential elections

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BOGOTÁ (AP) — The Venezuelan government on Monday invited Colombia to serve as an observer in the presidential elections called for July 28, in which Nicolás Maduro aspires to a third term and faces claims from some sectors of the opposition who denounced blockades .

The proposal comes after President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing leader, described as an “anti-democratic coup” the electoral disqualification of the Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who could not formally run despite having been elected in a primary election. the opposition that won in October of last year with more than 90% of the votes.

The Colombian Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, did not confirm Colombia’s participation as an independent third party to observe the elections. However, he said that they view with “very good eyes that there is oversight and electoral observation of CELAC and very important personalities.” He insisted that Colombia “has always offered its good offices to Venezuela and the international community” to seek solutions “built by Venezuelans.”

Venezuela has called to send observers to several international organizations such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the European Union, the Carter Center and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“We are talking about the invitation that we have made to CELAC for electoral observation, which we have also promised to the government of Colombia,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil told the press after holding a meeting with his Colombian counterpart in the border city. From cucuta. “We hope that very soon these companions can be selected for international oversight, who will be welcome in Venezuela,” he added.

An exploratory commission from the European Union will visit Venezuela this week as part of the process to make the decision to send observers to the presidential elections.

Venezuela and Colombia resumed their diplomatic relations with the arrival to power in 2022 of Gustavo Petro, who recognized Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. His predecessor, the conservative Iván Duque (2018-2022), along with dozens of other countries, ignored Maduro, arguing that he was re-elected in 2018 in fraudulent elections.

In addition to rebuilding the diplomatic and commercial relationship with the opening of consulates and borders, Venezuela agreed to be a guarantor country in the peace talks that Colombia is holding with the National Liberation Army guerrilla, raised in arms since 1964, with a strong presence in the border area. from both countries.

The Petro government has called for an end to sanctions against Venezuela and encouraged that country to return to the inter-American human rights system.