Panama City, Nov 8 (EFE).- The Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), which is part of Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama and Ecuadorhighlighted this Friday the “transcendental” role that Brazil can play in solving the crisis in Venezuela.
“We think that Brazil can play a very, very transcendental role, due to its specific weight within the continent”said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, Javier Martínez-Acha, in a press conference with his colleagues from Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, from Ecuador, Gabriela Sommerfeld, and from the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez.
The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, “can influence a lot, especially within the spectrum of the center-left of the continent. Mr. Maduro’s allies are running out (…) the phenomenon of democracy in Venezuela has united democratic countries of different ideologies,” argued Martínez-Acha.
The ADD foreign ministers, who held a meeting in the Panamanian capital to discuss various issues, received the Venezuelan opposition representatives Rafael de la Cruz and David Smolanski, to whom they reiterated the Alliance’s support for Venezuelan democracy and the defense of the human rights in that country.
«We cannot abandon Venezuela and that is a statement that the four foreign ministers present here defend. We want Venezuela to soon have the opportunity to live in peace (…) we would like Venezuelans to find the way to a peaceful transition and for the president that Venezuelans democratically elected to take office on January 10,” stated the Panamanian foreign minister.
January 10, 2025 is the constitutional date on which the new Government must take office after the elections of July 28, when the National Electoral Council of Venezuela, dominated by the ruling party, proclaimed Nicolás Maduro as president-elect.
Then, the Supreme Court of Justice validated this result, which is rejected by the main opposition coalition in Venezuela, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), which defends its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, exiled in Spain since December 8, as the winner. September.
The Panamanian Foreign Minister made a “very special recognition to María Corina Machado”, Venezuelan opposition leader, who “is risking her life for the democracy of an entire people, of the brothers of Venezuela.”
After the National Electoral Council proclaimed Maduro the winner of the presidential elections, the presidents of Brazil and Colombia, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Gustavo Petro, respectively, have not recognized this victory until the Venezuelan authorities publish the minutes, requesting that has not been fulfilled.
The Venezuelan opponent Rafael de la Cruz assessed this Friday to EFE that both Brazil and Colombia “have offered themselves as intermediaries to officiate a negotiation between the regime and us as the elected Government to give it the necessary guarantees for a normal transition of government on January 10 , which is what we are waiting for in that sense.
“We are grateful for the position they have taken of not recognizing the fraud that Maduro tried to commit and at the same time offering themselves as mediators for a negotiation that we should have between Venezuelans, in such a way that what the (Panamanian) chancellor ends up “Not to mention, it is completely in line with what we have been doing,” said economist De la Cruz.
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**Interview with Javier Martínez-Acha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama**
*Interviewer*: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Martínez-Acha. The Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD) has stated that Brazil can play a “transcendental” role in addressing the Venezuelan crisis. Can you elaborate on what that role might look like?
*Martínez-Acha*: Thank you for having me. Brazil, under President Lula’s leadership, holds considerable influence in Latin America, especially among center-left governments. This influence is crucial as we seek a collective approach to support democracy and human rights in Venezuela. Lula’s ability to engage with various political factions, including those sympathetic to Nicolás Maduro, provides a unique opportunity for dialogue and mediation.
*Interviewer*: You mentioned that Maduro’s allies are dwindling. How do you see this impacting the political landscape in Venezuela going forward?
*Martínez-Acha*: The diminishing support for Maduro suggests a growing isolation of his regime. This can create a pivotal moment for democratic forces within Venezuela to unite and push for change. The ADD’s support for the Venezuelan opposition indicates that we are ready to back a peaceful transition towards a more democratic system.
*Interviewer*: There is an emphasis on human rights in the ADD’s discussions. How does this commitment manifest in your approach towards Venezuela?
*Martínez-Acha*: We firmly believe that the respect for human rights must be a foundational element of any solution in Venezuela. This includes supporting individuals like María Corina Machado, who are advocating for democracy at great personal risk. Our goal is to ensure that the Venezuelan people have the chance to express their will freely and safely.
*Interviewer*: You also mentioned the upcoming election results in Venezuela and the lack of recognition from Brazil and Colombia. What steps are you taking to address this situation?
*Martínez-Acha*: We are advocating for transparency and accountability. Our stance is clear—without proper electoral oversight and the publication of results, we cannot recognize Maduro’s claim to the presidency. Our focus is on facilitating a scenario where the true voice of the Venezuelan electorate is heard and respected.
*Interviewer*: Thank you, Minister Martínez-Acha, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. We hope to see a peaceful resolution in Venezuela soon.
*Martínez-Acha*: Thank you for the opportunity. We remain committed to supporting Venezuelan democracy.
