Ecarri: Transition must prioritize reconstruction plan to avoid new crisis

Antonio Ecarri, a deputy in Venezuela's National Assembly and president of the Venezuela-United States Parliamentary Friendship Group, asserted that a political transition in the country can only succeed if it includes a national reconstruction plan. This plan, he argued, is essential to tackle the decay of public services and improve the population's living conditions.

Ecarri directed his message to those involved in the political process, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting that the nation's recovery must be a central priority within negotiation agendas. "Without a National Reconstruction Plan, the transition will fail," he declared.

He stressed that reconstruction should extend beyond areas affected by recent earthquakes, addressing systemic issues plaguing the entire country. "Without reconstruction, without an electrical system, without reconstruction of public services, without reconstruction of health and education, without reconstruction of the minimum quality of life for Venezuelans; the transition fails and what follows is tragedy and poverty," Ecarri stated.

The opposition leader insisted that any political understanding must involve concrete commitments to restore infrastructure, essential services, and the well-being of Venezuelans, rather than focusing solely on institutional matters. He likened the alternative to a "university seminar with general topics."

Ecarri reiterated that national recovery must be part of the discussions aimed at finding a political solution for Venezuela. He called for collective effort in supporting the transition, questioning the lack of concrete decisions in the initial stages of negotiations. He also cautioned against violence and poverty as paths to democracy, emphasizing that transition, coupled with open dialogue, is the way forward. "Democracy will not arrive through violence, democracy will not arrive through poverty; democracy will arrive precisely hand-in-hand with the transition. That is why we must truly care for the transition," he said.

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La democracia no va a llegar por medio de la violencia, la democracia no va a llegar por medio de la pobreza; la democracia llegará precisamente de la mano de la transición. Por eso debemos cuidar realmente la transición