From left to right, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Photo: RedRadioVE.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded to his Brazilian and Colombian counterparts’ interventionist statements regarding Venezuela’s presidential elections.
This Thursday, August 15, in statements to the press, President Maduro defended the sovereignty and independence of Venezuela, saying that he does not practice microphone diplomacy.
“I do not practice microphone diplomacy; I never do. Otherwise, one then becomes an advisor to other countries,” he said.
Regarding Colombia, President Maduro reiterated that he has been rebuilding relations with great dedication.
He said that he speaks privately with his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro but would never “practice microphone diplomacy.”
President Maduro added that he is a guarantor of the Colombian peace negotiations but that he would never give public opinions on what Colombia should do to overcome the war, “which is terrible, and it is getting worse.”
'Venezuela doesn't practice microphone diplomacy'
President Maduro responds to interventionist remarks made by @petrogustavo and @LulaOficial. pic.twitter.com/h6tLpCMvJu
— Kawsachun News (@KawsachunNews) August 16, 2024
“No, I will never say that the Colombian government should do this and post advice on my social media accounts. No, every president knows how they should deal with their internal affairs,” he added.
President Maduro’s statement comes after Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote this Thursday on social media that “a political solution for Venezuela that brings peace and prosperity to its people depends on Nicolás Maduro.”
The Colombian leader added that “lifting all sanctions against Venezuela, general national and international amnesty, full guarantees for political action, transitional cohabitation government, and new free elections” are the steps that need to be taken, in a clear interference in Venezuelan internal affairs.
Regarding Brazil, President Maduro reiterated that he does not interfere in the processes of any country and that he respects its institutions.
“In Brazil, former President Bolsonaro, an ally of the far-right in Venezuela, cried fraud and refused to accept defeat. The Brazilian Judiciary decided on the matter, and no one from Venezuela or our government went public to intervene in this affair,” President Maduro said to the press.
PSUV Leader Diosdado Cabello: There Will Be No ‘Second Round’ Election in Venezuela
On Thursday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also proposed rerunning the Venezuelan presidential elections, where Nicolás Maduro won with 52% of the votes. This proposal has been raised locally in Venezuela by far-right politicians close to María Corina Machado.
President Maduro confirmed that Venezuela has a Constitution, an electoral schedule, institutions, and a judiciary that have the final say. “Meanwhile, we should dedicate ourselves to working, to doing positive things for Venezuela,” the president added.
(RedRadioVE) by Ana Perdigón with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SF
