A group of 30 former Hispanic American heads of state made public this Friday a letter sent to Pope Francis in which they urge him to ask the Venezuelan Government to accept the electoral result of last July 28, and “start a negotiation for a transition without violence and in peace.”
In the private letter dated August 4 and not responded to by the Holy See, the former leaders who make up the Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (IDEA) address Francis to explain the “clear and resounding victory” of the opposition presidential candidate. , Edmundo González Urrutia, now exiled in Spain.
The former heads of state had already denounced in a forum in Miami (USA) last October the “electoral fraud” carried out in the July presidential elections, in which the Venezuelan electoral authorities declared the president, Nicolás Maduro, the winner, without until now having presented the electoral records.
Urrutia won the elections with 67.13% of the votes, compared to the 30.40% “obtained by the dictatorial government.” He is, therefore, the “elected president with the greatest legitimacy of origin in the region,” they highlight in the letter.
They also detail in the letter a message from Francis to Venezuela in which the pope invites the South American country to maintain dialogue and avoid partisanship, under the assumption that Venezuelans are at odds with each other.
But, according to IDEA, it is “quite the opposite.” “In an almost complete and decisive manner, Venezuelans – in response to the request made by the international community – went to the polls in unity and, responding to the same sustained demand from world leaders, remained within the electoral route and in peace. “, he reminds the Pope.
The former presidents denounce that Maduro went to “his” Supreme Court (TSJ), “whose members are all his militants,” to request that the highest judicial instance rule on the matter.
The TSJ rejected the request to review the ruling that validated Maduro’s controversial re-election.
In parallel, the Government of Venezuela, repudiating IDEA, unleashed widespread repression with a balance of “thousands of detainees, injured, tortured, raped and executed”, even “intimidating” the Venezuelan Episcopate.
“In short, we request your pastoral and prophetic action by asking the Government of Venezuela to accept the true and evident electoral result and begin a negotiation for a transition without violence and in peace,” concludes the letter sent to Francisco.
Among the signatories are former presidents Mario Abdo (Paraguay), Óscar Arias (Costa Rica), José María Aznar (Spain), Nicolás Ardito Barletta (Panama), Felipe Calderón (Mexico), Rafael Ángel Calderón, José María Figueres, Laura Chinchilla ( Costa Rica), Alfredo Cristiani (El Salvador), Iván Duque (Colombia), Vicente Fox (Mexico) and Federico Franco (Paraguay), Hipólito Mejía (Dominican Republic) and Luis Guillermo Solís (Costa Rica).
The statement was also signed by Eduardo Frei (Chile), Luis Alberto Lacalle (Uruguay), Guillermo Lasso and Osvaldo Hurtado (Ecuador), Mauricio Macri (Argentina), Jamil Mahuad (Ecuador), Carlos Mesa (Bolivia) and Lenin Moreno (Ecuador). , Mireya Moscoso (Panama), Andres Pastrana (Colombia), Ernesto Perez Balladares (Panama), Jorge Tuto Quiroga (Bolivia), Mariano Rajoy (Spain), Miguel Angel Rodriguez (Costa Rica), Alvaro Uribe (Colombia) and Juan Carlos Wasmosy (Paraguay).
Miami / EFE
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**Interview with Dr. Maria Rodriguez, Political Analyst and Expert on Latin American Affairs**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rodriguez. There has been significant unrest in Venezuela following the presidential election held on July 28, where opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia was declared the winner by many, despite official results announcing Nicolás Maduro as the victor. Can you give us your thoughts on the current situation?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Certainly. The situation in Venezuela is extremely complex. The recent letter from the group of former Hispanic American heads of state to Pope Francis highlights a crucial point — the widespread perception of electoral fraud during the elections. González Urrutia’s claimed victory with over 67% of the vote starkly contrasts Maduro’s reported 30%. This disparity raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process.
**Interviewer:** The letter also calls for Pope Francis to encourage the Venezuelan government to respect the electoral results and engage in dialogue. What role do you see for the Vatican in this crisis?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** The Vatican, under Pope Francis, has positioned itself as a mediator in various conflicts around the globe. In this case, their call for dialogue is vital. The former heads of state have pointed out that the Venezuelan electorate showed unity by voting, which is a crucial aspect that needs acknowledgment. The Pope’s influence could potentially coax Maduro towards negotiation, yet the lack of a response from the Holy See raises concerns about the effectiveness of such interventions.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned electoral fraud. The former presidents highlighted that Maduro’s government has not provided electoral records. How does this lack of transparency affect the situation?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** It undermines trust in the electoral process. In democracies, transparency is key to legitimacy. By not providing records, the Maduro government adds fuel to the fire of accusations of dictatorship. The former heads of state’s insistence on acknowledging Urrutia’s victory reflects a broader demand from the international community for fair governance in Venezuela. Without addressing these allegations, the cycle of unrest may continue.
**Interviewer:** What do you predict is the next step for Venezuelans, especially considering the current political climate?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** I believe that Venezuelans will continue to advocate for their rights peacefully. With increasing international support, the potential for dialogue remains. However, the situation can escalate if the Maduro administration does not respond constructively. We might witness further protests or push for international sanctions as a means of pressure.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Rodriguez. The situation is undoubtedly fluid, and it will be crucial to monitor how both the Venezuelan government and the international community respond in the coming weeks.
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.
