By Natalia Rueda 
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a statement on the situation in Venezuela following the controversial presidential elections held on Sunday, July 28, which resulted in the reelection of Nicolás Maduro for a second term. In said statement, Petro expresses his concern about the crisis in Venezuela and raises serious doubts about the legitimacy of the electoral process.
In his words, the Colombian president affirmed that the “serious doubts” that have arisen regarding the Venezuelan electoral process may lead the country to a deep violent polarization, with serious consequences of permanent division. Petro also called on the Venezuelan government to allow a transparent scrutiny and the participation of all political forces in the vote counting process, as well as professional international supervision.
Las graves dudas que se establecen alrededor del proceso electoral venezolano pueden llevar a su pueblo a una profunda polarización violenta con graves consecuencias de división permanente de una nación que ha sabido unirse muchas veces en su historia.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) July 31, 2024
Invito al gobierno…
In addition, the Colombian president invited the U.S. government to “suspend the blockades and decisions against Venezuelan citizens,” as he considers that these measures only provoke “more suffering and promote the mass exodus of the population.” Petro argued that lifting the blockades would help decrease emigration to the United States from Latin America.
Colombia joins other Latin American countries and the OAS in expressing its concern over the situation in Venezuela and in calling on the Venezuelan government to guarantee transparency and peace in the country.
Agradecemos a la ONU, OEA, Unión Europea, los Estados Unidos, Brasil, Colombia, Chile, México, Argentina, España, Italia, Portugal, Perú, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Uruguay, Ecuador, Panamá, Guatemala, República Dominicana y Paraguay, por instar al respeto de la voluntad de los…
— Edmundo González (@EdmundoGU) July 31, 2024
President Petro ended his statement with a call for peace and democracy in Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of a transparent electoral process. “The scrutiny is the end of any electoral process, it must be transparent and guarantee peace and democracy,” he said.
Venezuela’s public order is getting worse and worse
The elections in Venezuela have triggered a wave of demonstrations marked by violence and repression, with a toll of at least 16 people dead, 11 forced disappearances and more than 170 detained by regime forces. The situation remains tense and worrisome in the days following the elections.
Venezuela y el mundo entero saben que la violencia es el último recurso del régimen de Maduro.
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) July 31, 2024
Ahora, tras la contundente e inapelable victoria electoral que logramos los venezolanos el 28 de julio, la respuesta del régimen es el asesinato, el secuestro y la persecución.…
As tensions continue to escalate in Venezuela, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging a peaceful and just resolution. President Petro’s statement adds to the growing pressure on the Maduro regime to address concerns and ensure a transparent electoral process. Only time will tell how the Venezuelan government will respond to these calls for transparency and accountability.