The request of Colombian congressmen to Volker Türk

More than 70 congressmen from different political parties in Colombia urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to recognize Edmundo González as the “legitimate president of Venezuela”following the elections of July 28.

In the letter to Türk, Colombian congressmen from various political parties considered that Recognizing Gonzalez as the “legitimate president of Venezuela” is a “crucial action to reflect the true will of the Venezuelan people”clearly expressed at the polls on July 28.”

“Today, more than 70 senators of the Republic and representatives of the Republic have put ourselves on the right side of history, on the right side of democracy,” said Senator David Luna, of the Cambio Radical party.

Today, more than 70 congressmen from all political parties have joined together to stand on the right side of history and democracy. We have sent a letter to the UN to request that Edmundo Gonzalez be recognized as the legitimate president of Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/Enz7n7xVOe

— David Luna (@lunadavid) August 29, 2024

MThey expressed “their deep concern” about the democratic crisis facing Venezuela and asked the UN to “speak out against the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.”

They said the Venezuelan government has “perpetuated a serious humanitarian crisis” and has also weakened fundamental democratic principles.

“It is imperative,” they said, “that the Venezuelan people have the freedom to choose their leaders without fear of coercion or oppression.”

LColombian congressmen urged the UN to promote an orderly transition process to guarantee Maduro’s departure from power and respect for human rights in Venezuela.

“These are times to act firmly and ensure that the voice of the Venezuelan people is respected. Democracy in Latin America is at risk, and we cannot allow repressive and dictatorial actions to continue to advance,” the parliamentarians concluded in their statement.

What is Colombia’s position on the crisis in Venezuela?

Petro and Maduro in Miraflores, Caracas – Photo: Presidency of Venezuela

This position is different from that adopted by the Colombian government, which through its foreign minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, said that the Executive maintains its position as a country that builds bridges to achieve “fundamental solutions in Venezuela,” after the elections of July 28, in which the opposition claims victory over Nicolás Maduro.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva insisted on Saturday on the need to publish the electoral records “broken down by voting table” following the Supreme Court of Venezuela’s approval of Maduro’s victory, which they “took note of.”