The US admits that there is “not much hope” for free elections in Venezuela, but “there is still time”

MADRID, 2 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The head of the United States Government for Latin American issues, Brian A. Nichols, has warned of the democratic deficiencies that still persist in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela and, in relation to the latter country, has admitted today that The disqualification of opponents and the increase in repression do not allow for “much hope” that free elections will be organized, although he believes that “there is still time” for the “regime” of Nicolás Maduro to “change path.”

Nichols, who has visited Spain to express the priorities of the Joe Biden Administration in Latin America, has advocated during an event at Casa de América for the holding of “inclusive” and “competitive” elections in Venezuela, although he considers that “that “It depends on Maduro and those around him.”

The Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere has explained that Washington took “a calculated risk” by easing part of the sanctions against Venezuela and recalled that the temporary permit for certain activities expires on April 18, at which time the North American Government reserves the right to resume all punishments.

In this sense, he has pointed out that the “hope for a democratic path” was what led to the Barbados Agreement signed in October by Chavistas and opponents, but today “Maduro’s representatives have not fulfilled the commitments,” among other things. things due to the maintenance of the disqualification of María Corina Machado and the impossibility of her substitute theorist, Corina Yoris, to register for the presidential elections.

The United States has “serious concerns” about the arrests of opponents and activists in recent weeks. Nichols has highlighted Spain’s calls on behalf of Spanish-Venezuelan activist Rocío San Miguel and has called for her “immediate release.”

He also believes that the public criticism of the Government of Colombia and its president, Gustavo Petro, of the repression of the opposition in Venezuela is “important”, since it is a leader with “a lot of weight” in the region.

PRAISE THE “COMMITMENT” OF SPAIN

Regarding the possibility that Spain could promote within the EU a relaxation of sanctions in Venezuela, he pointed out that these are “independent” decisions and that, in any case, “very close contact” is maintained with a view to acting accordingly. “coordinated” manner on both sides of the Atlantic.

“I do not doubt Spain’s firm commitment to supporting democracy at a global level,” said the Deputy Secretary of State when praising the Spanish role especially in Latin America, emphasizing the weight that this region had during the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2023.

Furthermore, he applauded Spain’s involvement in “shared priorities” such as economic development, the defense of the environment, the fight against corruption or the adoption of fair immigration policies.

Spain has offered to host some of the migrants who register in dozens of centers that the United States plans to open in Central America to promote legal immigration channels. “Migrants should take advantage of these legal avenues instead of undertaking a dangerous journey,” said Nichols, who has warned that North American authorities will be “firm” at the border in the face of a flow of arrivals that he describes as “overwhelming.”

CUBA AND NICARAGUA

With respect to Cuba, Nichols considers that the island is going through a “key” moment, marked in recent weeks by a rise in social protests to demand social improvements. The “solution to all these problems,” he added, “is democracy.”

The North American politician has applauded the “value” of Cuban citizens and their “commitment” to Human Rights and fundamental freedoms, something “extremely impressive” in his opinion. Thus, he has endorsed Biden’s speech in favor of a “hard” policy with the regime but “soft” with the people.

The United States “continues to press” to achieve the release of political prisoners – more than a thousand, Nichols recalled – although it sees “several reasons to have hope” regarding the development of the island, since “the private sector supplies more and more basic goods and services that the Government cannot provide” and, at the same time, provides income to a population “eager to work” and to have “a decent life.”

On the other hand, Nichols has alluded to the situation in Nicaragua and, in particular, the “repressive and undemocratic behavior” of its authorities, who seek to “silence” civil society and “unjustly” imprison hundreds of people.

He thanked Spain for the offer of nationality to the prisoners who were banished from Nicaragua, “a sample of humanity and solidarity” that arrived while these people were still “recovering from their trauma.”

Nichols also sees a “key role” for Spain to mobilize the EU in the recent adoption of a firm stance “in favor of democracy” in Guatemala, after the fight between the Prosecutor’s Office and President Bernardo Arévalo after last year’s elections. . “Arévalo’s Presidency demonstrates how citizens can make his voice known,” he stated.

Washington aspires in general terms that the entire Western Hemisphere can consolidate itself as a “bastion of democracy”, to the extent that only progress in this regard can guarantee “more security and prosperity.” The case of Ecuador, with the reforms promoted by Daniel Noba, “demonstrates that democracy means results,” he has added.

The US Administration sees it as a “top priority” to recover stability in Haiti, which involves “restoring the institutions” and supporting the international mission that is still pending, in which the economic aid offered by Spain has highlighted.

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