Maria Corina says Maduro should not dig in

BOGOTÁ (AP).— Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado suggested yesterday that it would be in President Nicolás Maduro’s interest to establish negotiations with the opposition, amid local and international criticism of the presidential elections in that country.

“If Maduro makes a realistic assessment of his options, he will end up understanding that an entrenched position with the military high command and based on repression and lies is simply not sustainable and that it is in his own interest to start negotiations as soon as possible,” said María Corina in a virtual press conference with media from several countries.

Venezuela is facing a post-election crisis that includes massive demonstrations by both government supporters, who defend Maduro’s victory, and the opposition, who claim alleged electoral fraud against Edmundo González, who they consider the winner of the elections.

María Corina, who answered questions from journalists without González, said that they are willing to “transition to democracy” with conditions for the ruling party that include not negotiating the election results —which in her opinion would give González the victory—, which is at odds with the official version of the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) that declared Maduro the winner.

The opposition leader said that a possible transition would not translate into a “cohabitation” with the Maduro government and its officials, to whom she assured “we are willing to give guarantees and incentives,” without detailing what these would be.

He also declined to comment on press reports that the United States had offered Maduro amnesty to leave power, which was denied by the Biden administration.

The Supreme Court of Justice — dominated by jurists seen as allies of the government and former pro-government legislators — accepted a request from Maduro to conduct an expert appraisal of the election results and review possible irregularities such as a cyber attack reported by the government.

González did not respond to the Court’s call as part of the review process.

Machado insisted that the Tribunal has “no authority” to evaluate the election results, which he said was an exclusive function of the CNE, which is controlled by the government.

The opposition leader said she welcomes the diplomatic efforts being carried out by the leaders of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia to engage in dialogue with the government and opposition sectors in search of a solution to the Venezuelan political crisis.

USA-Mexico

Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena the obligation of the Venezuelan government to publish a “detailed and unaltered vote count” from the elections.

According to Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesman for the Secretary of State, Blinken stressed the need to “end human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests and indiscriminate detentions” in Venezuela.

Blinken expressed his support for Mexico’s efforts to “facilitate an inclusive Venezuelan-led dialogue that respects the will of the Venezuelan people, leads to a return to democracy, and promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

The call comes on the same day that the United States advocated that the Organization of American States (OAS) serve as a “vehicle” to resolve the post-electoral crisis in Venezuela.

Former rulers Urgency

Former leaders urge Brazil, Colombia and Mexico to demand voting records from Maduro.

“Slow-paced mediators”

The Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (IDEA), formed by 37 former leaders, urged the governments of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, which it defines as “slow-paced mediators with the tyranny” of Venezuela, to demand from President Nicolás Maduro the records of the elections of July 28.

Announcement

“We must put an end to the tragedy that has left thousands of victims in Venezuela and denied it its right to a peaceful transition to democracy,” the statement said.

Obligation

They believe that the three governments have the “obligation” to demand that Maduro “present them and their electoral bodies.