Petro seeks a “new conversation” with Maduro

Colombia seeks a new “conversation” between Gustavo Petro and Nicolás Maduro with an eye on October 1, when the handover of the Mexican Presidency will bring together Latin American leaders and will represent an “opportunity” in the search for a political solution for Venezuela, according to Colombian Vice-Chancellor Jorge Rojas.

The Colombian official, who is visiting Madrid to strengthen bilateral ties, participated on Friday in an Efe-Casa de América forum, where he stressed the active role of Bogotá in achieving a negotiated solution in Venezuela, although with “caution, with a lot of responsibility.”

«For Colombia it is very important to keep in mind that Political peace in Venezuela has to do with internal peace in Colombia“he said during the meeting with the director of the International Information Department of the Efe Agency, Emilia Pérez.

Bogotá, he insisted, maintains open dialogue at all levels with Caracas and “we are seeking a new conversation between the two presidents (Gustavo Petro and Nicolás Maduro) and then between everyone,” he said, referring to the mediation of the Brazilian Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Mexican Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

A conversation, he added, that is in the “context” of October 1, when Mexico will become the center of “Latin Americanism,” with the presence of the majority of the region’s leaders to attend Claudia Sheinbaum’s inauguration.

“I think that the inauguration of the new president of Mexico It will be a good opportunity to reaffirm paths to a political solution for Venezuela“said Rojas, who is in favor of exploring all avenues of negotiation, including dialogue with the Maduro government, the opposition, countries in the region, the United States and the European Union.

The Colombian official also wanted to underline the impact of Sheinbaum’s arrival in the region, which has a “very powerful connotation” because “there are few women holding the highest positions in public power, but Latin America is opening up to that perspective.”

Petro recognizes Maduro’s government until January

While a solution to the Venezuelan crisis is being sought, Colombia recognizes Maduro’s government until January, when the government elected in July is scheduled to take office, but “full transparency” in the electoral process is essential, he stressed.

“We want these results to be reliable so that we can recognize who won the elections” in Venezuela, he stressed, and also advocated for the need for the country to return to the Inter-American Human Rights system.

Venezuela is strategically important to Colombia, not only because of its neighbourly relations but also because of the value of its trade, which is now close to one billion dollars, and the migratory flow of Venezuelans in the country: more than 2.5 million registered and half a million more in the process.

Colombia thanks Venezuela for its “firm support” for the peace process

«Regardless of all the difficulties, criticisms, discussions» with Caracas, Rojas He thanked Venezuela for its “firm support” for the Colombian peace process and expressed confidence that the National Liberation Army (ELN) will return to the negotiating table, which has been frozen since May.

The vice-chancellor summed up the Petro government’s strategy in the word “persistence” because, he said, “we are going to knock on every possible door, including the Vatican if necessary, so that we can conclude the peace process because Colombia can no longer tolerate any more conflicts.”

Collaboration with Spain

The Venezuelan crisis was one of the topics on the agenda of Rojas’ visit to Madrid, which allowed him to “reaffirm the bilateral relationship” and support collaboration in areas such as telecommunications, renewable energy and attention to migratory flows.

After his visit to Spain, Jorge Rojas will accompany Petro to the United Nations General Assembly, where the Colombian president will propose exchanging debt for climate action and will demand an end to the conflict in Gaza, “a live and direct genocide for all of humanity.” “We must stop this war,” as well as the one in Ukraine, he said.