DistantNews
Support us
De la Espriella clarifies no intent to disregard Venezuelan sovereignty in reconstruction
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Disasters & Emergencies

De la Espriella clarifies no intent to disregard Venezuelan sovereignty in reconstruction

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella clarified he did not intend to disregard Venezuela's sovereignty regarding post-earthquake reconstruction.
  • Venezuela's government had responded to De la Espriella's earlier remarks, emphasizing its exclusive authority over reconstruction efforts.
  • De la Espriella's office stated that Colombia could offer technical and logistical support for reconstruction, respecting international law and Venezuelan authority.

Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has clarified his recent statements regarding the reconstruction of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes on June 24. His office issued a statement emphasizing that he never intended to disregard Venezuela's sovereignty or usurp the responsibilities of its authorities.

In no moment was it proposed to disregard the sovereignty of Venezuela nor to substitute the responsibilities that correspond to its authorities.

— Abelardo de la Espriella's press officeClarifying the president-elect's stance on Venezuela's sovereignty in reconstruction efforts.

The clarification came after the Venezuelan government responded with "surprise" to De la Espriella's earlier assertion that "the reconstruction of Venezuela after the earthquake must be done by Colombia, with all that this implies." Venezuela's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the planning and reconstruction efforts are exclusively its domain and that it has already mobilized its state-owned companies and national industries.

De la Espriella's press office stated that his remarks were made from an "exclusively humanitarian and regional cooperation perspective." He believes that in the face of such large-scale tragedies, neighboring countries should be prepared to combine capabilities to alleviate the suffering of affected communities. Colombia possesses technical, logistical, and human resources that could significantly contribute to debris removal, infrastructure recovery, and reconstruction, provided institutional channels and a willingness to cooperate exist between both nations.

The reconstruction of the affected areas is a challenge of enormous proportions that can benefit from international solidarity, from the technical experience of neighboring countries and from the participation of their productive sectors, always within the framework of appropriate cooperation mechanisms and with full respect for international law.

— Abelardo de la Espriella's press officeExplaining the potential for international involvement in Venezuela's reconstruction.

"Tragedies do not distinguish borders or ideologies. In such moments, solidarity between brotherly peoples must prevail over any political difference," the statement added. The earthquakes on June 24, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, have resulted in 4,333 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and left 17,907 people homeless, according to Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.

Tragedies do not distinguish borders or ideologies. In such moments, solidarity between brotherly peoples must prevail over any political difference.

— Abelardo de la Espriella's press officeEmphasizing the importance of regional solidarity in disaster response.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog