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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Disasters & Emergencies

Venezuelan government rejects Colombian president-elect's statements on earthquake reconstruction

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Venezuela's government rejected statements by Colombia's president-elect regarding post-earthquake reconstruction.
  • The Venezuelan government asserted its exclusive authority over the reconstruction process.
  • Colombia's president-elect had suggested Colombia should lead the rebuilding efforts.

The Venezuelan government has strongly rejected statements made by Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, concerning the reconstruction of areas affected by a recent double earthquake. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil stated that De la Espriella "seeks to attribute to himself" broad powers in the recovery and reconstruction efforts following the June 24 earthquakes.

seeks to attribute to himself broad powers in the recovery and reconstruction efforts of the areas affected by the earthquakes of last June 24.

— Yván GilVenezuelan Foreign Minister, commenting on the statements by Colombia's president-elect

Gil clarified that the reconstruction process "corresponds exclusively to the Venezuelan State." He emphasized that Venezuela has mobilized all its national capabilities, including state institutions, national industry, public and private companies, and the necessary technical and professional talent to carry out this process. The government expressed "strangeness" at De la Espriella's remarks, which suggested Colombia should be responsible for Venezuela's reconstruction.

corresponds exclusively to the Venezuelan State.

— Yván Gilclarifying Venezuela's authority over the reconstruction process

While Venezuela appreciates expressions of solidarity and support from international governments and organizations, it maintains that the leadership of the reconstruction lies solely with its own state. The government indicated that it will establish international alliances as needed to complete the recovery of affected areas. However, the statement specifically noted that "as of today, no coordination is planned with the elected government of Colombia."

Venezuela has activated all its national capabilities, including state institutions, national industry, its public and private companies, as well as the necessary technical and professional talent to carry out this process.

— Yván Gildetailing Venezuela's internal efforts for reconstruction

De la Espriella, described as far-right, had reportedly planned to discuss this situation with the U.S. government. The Venezuelan government's firm stance underscores its commitment to national sovereignty in managing the aftermath of the natural disaster, which has caused significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure.

as of today, no coordination is planned with the elected government of Colombia.

— Yván Gilregarding potential collaboration with the incoming Colombian administration
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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