The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has defended the former president on Tuesday Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and the role it plays “in dialogues and mediations” in Venezuela in the face of criticism from the conservative opposition.
Albares appeared today in the Senate to explain the Government’s position regarding the Venezuelan crisis after the presidential elections of July 28, in which the opposition and the international community question the official results that give victory to Nicolas Maduro.
In response to criticism from conservatives about Zapatero’s silence after the Venezuelan elections, the minister insisted on that the former president “has participated in many dialogues, in many mediations and in many releases of political prisoners”.
Zapatero is part of the Puebla Groupa political forum of leftist governments in Latin America.
Albares called on conservatives to “support the government’s position and the work of those who speak with the Venezuelan opposition and government to try to reach an agreement among Venezuelans.”
People’s Party
The minister assured that, despite the criticism, the leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Nunez Feijoois informed of the actions carried out by the Government regarding Venezuela.
During his appearance, Albares explained that, at Spain’s request, the European Union will address the issue of Venezuela at the Foreign Affairs Council to be held on 29 and 30 August.
He also noted that Spain has taken charge of the Dominican Republic’s international interests in Venezuela following Nicolás Maduro’s decision to expel Dominican diplomats from the South American country.
The Spanish foreign minister said that He has been in contact with both Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia..
Albares spoke with González Urrutia, who claims to be the winner of the July 28 elections based on the voting records published by the opposition, on Monday to try to promote a dialogue that will allow an end to the crisis unleashed since the last presidential elections.
Fraud
Albares has also had contact with the foreign ministers of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Panama, as well as the Dominican Republic, to assess the situation in Venezuela.
The Caracas government has triggered a diplomatic crisis with seven countries, including the Dominican Republic, following its questioning of the transparency and fairness of the July 28 elections in which, according to the National Electoral Council (CNE), which has not published the voting records table by table, Nicolás Maduro was re-elected for a third term.
In his appearance before the Senate, Albares also insisted that, from the first day after the presidential elections in Venezuela, The government of socialist Pedro Sánchez has demanded the publication of the electoral records and transparency and has maintained a “firm and unwavering commitment to democracy and respect for human rights in Venezuela”.EFE
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