New York – “I pray for the Vatican’s intervention to find a solution in Venezuela”. This is the appeal launched by the opposition leader Maria Corina Machadoanswering a question from Republic during a briefing with international media, to discuss the crisis that began after the presidential elections of July 28. The Caracas regime has in fact declared Nicolas Maduro the winner, but according to the opposition Edmundo González has received more votes and the government is hiding the real results.
Venezuela, the EU does not recognize the presidential results. Maduro: “Shame”
We asked Machado if the Holy See could help find a solution, also considering the great direct knowledge that Secretary of State Pietro Parolin from Venezuela, where she served as apostolic nuncio. She responded, “I think the Vatican and the Catholic Church have an important role to play, because it is a very respected institution in Venezuela.” She added, “They are already doing some things and have increased their involvement, so I pray for their work.”
False result
The opposition leader framed the situation like this: “Everyone knows that Edmundo Gonzalez is the elected president and Nicolas Maduro was defeated by a landslide. The world should recognize that.” She then added: “Never in 25 years have we been so united and determined to move forward. We know what awaits us now and we have a strategy to do it. We have come a long way and we have never been stronger than we are today.” Instead, Maduro “has never been weaker. His position deteriorates every day, because of his obvious and cruel violations of human rights.” The winner proclaimed by the government in reality “lost in every single state, in the places where the regime won with 80% or 90% of the vote. They lost in the poor, rich, rural, urban areas, all over Venezuela. We are not the same country as a year ago, or even two months ago.”
A peaceful process
Machado does not believe that “we are in a stalemate. I think that there are things that are moving. Some are not obvious, but they are happening.” Some “terrified” figures within Maduro’s political world have contacted his campaign, because they understand that the situation is unsustainable.
She remains in favor of a negotiated, peaceful and orderly solution and is also open to the concessions needed to achieve it, such as possible amnesties. However, to achieve it, the involvement of the international community is necessary: ”We, the Venezuelan people, have done everything. We ran in the presidential elections with the rules of tyranny, we won, and we have demonstrated it. So, if the world or some government is thinking of looking the other way, imagine where the will and popular sovereignty would end up in the Western world. It would mean that elections are worth nothing”.
Democracy at stake
Maria Corina said that “we want to engage not only with governments, but also with people. We want democrats around the world – Europeans, Asians, Africans, and of course Latin Americans and North Americans – to understand how important this moment is.” In this context, “I certainly think that the United States and the United Kingdom should recognize Edmundo González for who he is,” that is, the real president-elect. “Some countries have held back from doing so. We need to increase our participation at this point.” She then added: “I certainly think that the United States should do much more. Those responsible for human rights violations should know that they will be held accountable. Not only in the military system but also in the judicial system. These messages should be clear to the regime,” so that Maduro recognizes that “the cost of staying in power will increase with each passing day.” Private companies, which have claims of up to $150 billion against the regime, also have a role to play: “Companies should understand that it is in their interest, as well as in the interest of Venezuela’s creditors, that the transition proceeds as quickly as possible and that they do not support the regime.” Instead, “Maduro’s position is to increase repression. This continues to isolate him and is unsustainable.”
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Machado acknowledged the risk that she and González could be arrested: “Of course. They are looking for us intensely. They have put people in prison who they thought knew where I was.” But she reiterated that she does not intend to escape: “We have to stay alive and free, that is our main challenge. Every day that passes is more difficult and risky. The regime is ruthless, capable of doing anything. It has no limits in its cruelty. But I believe that my duty is to stay in Venezuela.”
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– 2024-09-07 10:21:50
