Parliament of Panama believes that Edmundo González is the legitimate Venezuelan president / Photo: EFE
The National Assembly of Panama (AN, Parliament) issued a resolution in which it expresses its recognition of the opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the presidential elections held on July 28 in Venezuela.
The Panamanian Legislative Body, through the same resolution, expresses that it “strongly condemns the proclamation of the Venezuelan National Electoral Council, which grants the victory to Nicolás Maduro (…) as president of that country for a period of 6 years “.
Likewise, the document indicates that the Parliament of Panama “joins the clamor of the international community in the recognition of Edmundo González Urrutia as winner of the presidential electoral elections and (in) demanding respect for the popular will, expressed by Venezuelans, through voting in the exercise of their democratic rights”.
In addition, the AN approved “supporting the president of the country, José Raúl Mulino, as representative of the Republic of Panama and member of the Assembly of States, in the necessary management for compliance with article 58 of the Rome Statute,” of the that Panama is a signatory.
Pioneer
Panama was one of the first countries to sign the Rome Statute on July 18, 1998, which it ratified on March 21, 2002.
Last July 17, the anniversary of the adoption, in 1998, of the Rome Statute, “the treaty constituting the International Criminal Court (ICC), the only permanent international criminal court with universal vocation,” was celebrated, the Foreign Ministry recalled for the date. Panamanian.
Panama is one of the countries in the region that recognized the opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner of the presidential elections on July 28, in which the National Electoral Council, dominated by the ruling party, declared the re-election of Nicolás Maduro without presenting the minutes that support it.
After the Venezuelan elections, both countries closed their respective diplomatic representations and the Maduro Government maintains commercial flights with Panama suspended.
Panama City / EFE
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**Interview with Dr. Maria Gonzalez, Political Analyst and Expert on Latin American Affairs**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gonzalez. Recently, the National Assembly of Panama recognized Edmundo González as the legitimate president of Venezuela following the controversial elections on July 28. What’s your take on this decision?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. The recognition of Edmundo González by the Panamanian Parliament is a significant political statement. It reflects Panama’s alignment with the opposition in Venezuela and underscores its condemnation of Nicolás Maduro’s administration, which many view as illegitimate due to widespread accusations of electoral fraud and human rights violations.
**Interviewer:** The resolution also includes a strong condemnation of the Venezuelan National Electoral Council’s declaration of Maduro’s victory. How might this impact Panama’s relationship with Venezuela?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** It’s likely to strain relations further. Panama’s stance aligns it with other countries in the region that reject Maduro’s legitimacy. This decision may also influence diplomatic ties, affecting trade and cooperation between the two countries as they navigate this politically charged environment.
**Interviewer:** Given the context, do you see Panama taking further actions to support the opposition in Venezuela?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** It’s certainly possible. Panama has previously supported democracy and human rights in the region, and this recognition could lead to humanitarian aid or political support for the opposition. However, they must navigate this carefully to avoid escalating tensions with Maduro’s regime.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what implications does this situation hold for the broader Latin American political landscape?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** This could reinforce a trend among Latin American countries that are increasingly rejecting authoritarianism. The recognition of González may encourage other nations to follow suit, potentially isolating Maduro’s government further. It’s a critical moment for democratic movements across the continent, and how this unfolds will likely influence regional dynamics moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Gonzalez. This is certainly a developing situation to watch closely.
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how these events progress.
