United States and 19 nations call for ‘restoration of democracy’ in Venezuela – 02/16/2022

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2022 (AFP) – The United States, along with 19 other nations and the European Union, held a meeting in which they called for a “restoration of democracy” with “free” elections and liberation in Venezuela. Political prisoners, the US State Department said Wednesday (16).

At a high-level coordination meeting on Tuesday, participants stressed the need for a “Venezuelan-led dialogue to restore democracy in the country” and stressed the importance of the dialogue, which began in Mexico City on August 13.

Countries call for “urgent resumption of negotiations involving Mexico”, as noted in the Memorandum of Understanding. 2024, when presidential elections are scheduled.

In Mexico, negotiations between the government and the opposition were suspended by Chavismo in October, which began under the auspices of Norway, in protest of the extradition of Alex Chappe, a Colombian businessman and key ally of President Nicolas Maduro.

Countries participating in the meeting announced that they were ready to reconsider sanctions if there was a “significant improvement” in the negotiations and pledged to tackle the “serious humanitarian situation” in the country.

The end of international sanctions, which cut off government funding, is one of Chavismo’s key demands.

According to the United Nations, more than six million Venezuelans have fled their country in recent years, leaving the country in dire straits after Maduro came to power in 2013.

The need for a “free and fair” presidential election, the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, the independence of the judiciary and election officials, the right of the parties to participate in the political process, unrestricted rights and freedom of expression were also discussed at the meeting. And “End of Human Rights Violations” in Venezuela.

Washington has not approved Maduro’s re-election in 2018 and is considering opposition leader Juan Quito as president.

Although the European Union has not given him the presidency, it considers Guido the only right speaker in Venezuela, but maintains open channels with the Maduro government.

Participants included the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Spain, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In the crowd ..

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