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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Elections & Politics

Venezuelan Forum Questions Dialogue Process, Cites Lack of Representation

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Under investigation
  • The Venezuelan Foreign Policy Forum expressed concern over the dialogue process between the government and the opposition, citing a lack of broad representation and omission of key transition issues.
  • The organization questioned the legitimacy of the opposition negotiators and the fairness of the agreed-upon agenda, which it believes does not prioritize core democratic demands.
  • The forum urged both parties and the U.S. State Department to foster an inclusive negotiation process with a clear roadmap and defined timelines reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people.

The Venezuelan Foreign Policy Forum has voiced significant concerns regarding the recently initiated dialogue between the government and representatives of the 2015 National Assembly. The organization believes the negotiation process lacks broad representation and overlooks fundamental issues crucial for a democratic transition.

The current opposition negotiators were not chosen by the Venezuelan people.

— Venezuelan Foreign Policy ForumExpressing concern over the representation in the dialogue process.

In a statement, the forum highlighted its role as a platform for reflection and analysis on Venezuelan foreign policy. It expressed apprehension about the scope of the announced negotiations, asserting that the current opposition negotiators were not chosen by the Venezuelan people. Furthermore, the forum is worried about the absence of individuals who, according to the results of the July 28, 2024 presidential elections, represent the majority of the country.

The forum also questioned the initial agenda agreed upon by the delegations, which includes addressing victims of the recent earthquake and strengthening democracy, rights, and political guarantees. However, it pointed out that the agenda omits the "fundamental objective" of establishing an electoral calendar with guarantees for free and competitive elections. It also noted the absence of plans for appointing a new electoral body, releasing political prisoners, reinstating the 2017 Supreme Court, and ensuring the safe return of exiled political leaders like Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado.

The agenda omits aspects such as the appointment of a new electoral body and the release of political prisoners.

— Venezuelan Foreign Policy ForumCritiquing the agreed-upon negotiation agenda.

Regarding the United States' support for the negotiation process, the forum suggested that Washington's role should align more closely with the actual developments on the ground. It cautioned that the ruling party has a history of failing to adhere to previous agreements and questioned the representativeness of the opposition delegation. Consequently, the Venezuelan Foreign Policy Forum called upon both negotiating parties and the U.S. State Department to promote an inclusive negotiation process with a defined roadmap and deadlines that genuinely reflect the will of the Venezuelan people, thereby addressing the institutional and economic crisis exacerbated by the recent earthquakes.

The role played by Washington should be consistent in discourse with what is actually happening.

— Venezuelan Foreign Policy ForumCommenting on the United States' involvement in the negotiation process.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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