Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has urged Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro to acknowledge her faction’s victory in the disputed July presidential election. During a virtual address to Colombian senators, she called for international pressure on Maduro to resign by January, citing the opposition’s substantial evidence of electoral win and warning of the regional implications if Maduro remains in power.
Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, has urged Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro to formally recognize her faction’s claimed victory in Venezuela’s controversial presidential election held in July. During a recent virtual address to the Colombian Senate, Machado called for action to mount international pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, demanding his resignation by January. Machado, who has been in hiding for the past two months due to fears of arrest, implored President Petro to take a definitive stance. “It is time for decisions,” she declared, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the crisis unfolding in Venezuela. Machado expressed her belief in the inevitability of a governmental transition and her commitment to engaging in constructive negotiations predicated on the will of the Venezuelan electorate as demonstrated in the July 28 election. The Venezuelan electoral authorities, affiliated with Maduro’s regime, prematurely announced him as the election winner, citing a cyberattack as the reason for not releasing detailed results. Conversely, Machado’s coalition successfully obtained and published vote tally sheets from more than 80% of electronic voting machines, which revealed that opposition candidate Edmundo González had secured a substantial victory. In her address, Machado appealed to Colombian senators to advocate for their cause, stating, “To you, honourable senators, I ask you to be guarantors of our victory and to be the voice of those of us who today are facing the most atrocious and ruthless repression.” She also criticized the government for its actions post-election, including the arrests and alleged torture of minors. Machado cautioned that Maduro’s continued leadership would have dire regional implications, notably for Colombia. She asserted that under Maduro’s rule, Venezuela has devolved into a sanctuary for Colombian guerrilla groups, which contradicts President Petro’s platform to foster peace with local rebel factions. Despite mediation attempts by President Petro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the situation remains stagnant as Maduro has fortified his grip on power by reshuffling his cabinet and detaining over 2,000 political adversaries. González, the former diplomat and opposition candidate, has sought refuge in Spain following an arrest warrant related to the online publication of voting results. While Maduro’s regime offered to act as a mediator for peace negotiations with Colombian guerrilla factions, dialogues with the National Liberation Army have since stalled. The new presidential term in Venezuela is expected to commence on January 10. As Machado works to garner international backing against Maduro’s regime, her public appearances remain limited due to ongoing security threats.
The recent political turmoil in Venezuela has arisen from a disputed presidential election that many local and international observers have criticized for lacking transparency and fairness. The electoral authorities, closely tied to the current regime, have asserted Maduro’s victory while the opposition has gathered evidence suggesting widespread electoral fraud. The call for international acknowledgment of the opposition’s claims comes at a crucial time, as Maduro’s continued leadership poses not only domestic challenges but also regional security concerns, particularly for neighboring Colombia.
In summary, Maria Corina Machado’s urgent appeal to Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro for recognition of her faction’s electoral victory underscores the escalating tensions surrounding Venezuela’s electoral integrity and governance. As Maduro consolidates power amid allegations of electoral fraud and political repression, the ramifications extend beyond Venezuela, impacting Colombia’s own security and peace initiatives. Machado’s calls for international intervention highlight the need for coordinated efforts to address the deep-seated crisis affecting the region.
Original Source: www.oneindia.com
