The Colombian Foreign Minister, forceful: “They were not free elections”
Peru condemns “repression” of opponents and family members and urges their “immediate release”
MADRID, 10 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Government of Colombia has expressed its “deep concern and strong rejection” of the serious complaints about human rights abuses in Venezuela in the hours before the presidential inauguration this Friday, in which President Nicolás Maduro is expected to take possession of the position after proclaiming himself the winner in the July elections, the results of which Bogotá “does not recognize.”
“The Government of Colombia expresses its deep concern and strong rejection of the increase and severity of complaints of Human Rights violations that are taking place in Venezuela in the run-up to tomorrow’s events. The recent reports of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations High Commissioner for this issue confirm the occurrence of violations of Human Rights in Venezuela, also qualifying the circumstances surrounding the electoral process as an alteration of the constitutional order in relation to the electoral result of the past July 28”, has declared the Colombian Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo.
In a video published on his account on the social network inside and outside the country in rejection of the investiture of Maduro, who declared himself the winner of the July elections amid accusations of fraud by the opposition and a large part of the international community.
In this sense, Murillo has been forceful in his criticism of the electoral process for lack of guarantees and transparency: “They were not free elections. Without public or transparent minutes, Colombia does not recognize the electoral results in Venezuela.”
The head of the ministerial portfolio has taken the opportunity to defend the “coherent and prudent” position of Colombia, whose president, Gustavo Petro, announced just two days ago that he will not attend the investiture ceremony, although the country will be represented by its ambassador in Caracas, Milton Rengifo.
“This decision is also based on the commitment of the Government of Colombia to democratic principles, respect for Human Rights and the search for an inclusive and democratic political solution for Venezuela,” he explained.
Murillo has reiterated that Bogotá will not break relations with the neighboring country, a decision taken “responsibly” although, as he clarified, “it does not mean an endorsement of the electoral results.” “It has already been shown that closing borders and breaking relations with Venezuela is of no use and affects the entire country, especially the millions of Colombians who live on the border. The easy thing is to break relations and close borders, the responsible thing is to consider the long-term impact on people and really look for solutions to the underlying problems,” he defended.
PERU CONDEMNS “REPRESSION” OF OPPOSITORS
The Peruvian authorities have also spoken about the latest events through a statement released on social networks by the Presidency, expressing “serious concern and strong condemnation” of the reported acts of “repression, persecution, arbitrary detentions and kidnapping” against members of the opposition and their relatives by the Venezuelan “regime.”
“The Government of Peru demands unrestricted respect for the freedom of expression and political participation of Venezuelans, and demands the immediate release of all people arbitrarily detained,” the note reads.
These statements come after the IACHR has accused the Venezuelan authorities of undertaking “terrorist practices” with the aim of “sowing fear and exercising control over the population.” Previously, opposition leader María Corina Machado confirmed that she had been detained and later released by the “repressive forces of the regime” after finishing a demonstration held this Thursday near Caracas in the hours before the presidential inauguration.