The leader of the largest opposition coalition in Venezuela, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), César Pérez Vivas criticized this Monday the “silence” of the president, Nicolás Maduro, after his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, publicly rejected the decision of privatize Monómeros, a Venezuelan state company installed in the Andean country.
“Nicolás Maduro remains silent in the face of President Gustavo Petro’s revelation,” said the former governor of the state of Táchira (border with Colombia) on the social network
Petro published on his United States accused of conspiracy to launder money – to “sell and privatize” Monómeros.
The Colombian president points out in the letter that, for more than five decades, the company has benefited farmers in both countries with the production and sale of agricultural inputs at a “fair price” and, currently, guarantees “millions of families” the productivity of their lands, which is why – he warns – their privatization “will imply higher prices for products.”
Obligation
Likewise, he continues, it will force producers to “depend on foreign products and the price of agricultural inputs on the international market.”
“There is no doubt that this decision could condemn millions of people who represent the basis of food sovereignty in our region to poverty and hunger. For this reason, I want to invite you to reconsider the privatization of the company that has given and can continue providing support to millions of families in our countries,” Petro adds in the letter.
Maduro, whose Government claims to maintain constant communication channels with the Colombian Executive, has not publicly referred to the issue and it is unknown if he has spoken with his counterpart in recent days.
I’m sorry
Pérez Vivas regretted that in Venezuela there is no Parliament – currently controlled by Chavismo – that “opens an investigation and promotes a debate to know the behind-the-scenes of this opaque negotiation.”
“Times of darkness, of corruption, in short, times of dictatorship,” added the anti-Chavista.
In September 2022, a month after the resumption of bilateral relations, the Maduro Government celebrated having recovered control of Monómeros, which had been in the hands of the opposition Juan Guaidó since 2019, whom the then Colombian president Iván Duque recognized as “interim president” of the Caribbean country.
Bogotá / EFE
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**Interview with César Pérez Vivas, Leader of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Pérez Vivas. Let’s dive right in. You recently criticized President Nicolás Maduro for his silence regarding Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s rejection of privatizing Monómeros. Can you elaborate on why this silence concerns you?
**César Pérez Vivas:** Thank you for having me. President Maduro’s silence speaks volumes. It reflects a lack of accountability and transparency on vital issues that affect both our nations. Monómeros has been essential for agricultural production in Venezuela and Colombia for over fifty years. By not addressing this privatization issue directly, Maduro is failing to protect a resource that farmers have relied on for fair agricultural inputs.
**Interviewer:** President Petro mentions the potential conspiracy to launder money tied to Monómeros. How do you interpret this claim, and what implications does it have for Venezuelan businesses?
**César Pérez Vivas:** Petro’s allegations are serious and cannot be taken lightly. If there are attempts to launder money linked to Monómeros, it erodes public trust not just in the company but in our government’s ability to safeguard Venezuelan interests. It signifies that corruption could be lurking at high levels, which is alarming. Our economy needs integrity and stability, particularly in sectors as crucial as agriculture.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the historical significance of Monómeros for farmers. How do you envision the company’s future if the privatization goes through?
**César Pérez Vivas:** If privatization occurs, we risk losing the very essence of what Monómeros represents—affordable, quality agricultural inputs for small and medium farmers in both countries. This could lead to monopolistic practices that may inflate prices and severely impact food security. We must work towards preserving Monómeros as a public entity that remains accessible to our farmers.
**Interviewer:** How do you feel the Venezuelan opposition, including your coalition, should respond to this situation moving forward?
**César Pérez Vivas:** The Venezuelan opposition must unite and take a firm stance against any measures that threaten our economy and our people’s welfare. We need to pressure the Maduro government to be transparent and engage in dialogue about Monómeros’ future. We must advocate for policies that prioritize the interests of our citizens rather than personal or partisan gains.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Pérez Vivas, for sharing your insights on this important issue.
**César Pérez Vivas:** Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of our coalition and express the concerns of many Venezuelans.