BTN News: The U.S. government continues to keep a close watch on the ongoing electoral situation in Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of a dialogue-driven process before considering any changes to its sanctions policy. Frank Mora, the U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), highlighted the need to respect the will of the Venezuelan people, especially after the controversial electoral claims made by both President Nicolás Maduro and opposition leader Edmundo González.
Mora, in an interview, pointed out that based on current evaluations, González indeed secured the necessary votes to win the election. However, he cautioned against prematurely declaring González as the “president-elect,” as this could complicate the diplomatic efforts underway. The ambassador underscored the delicate balance required, noting that while a dialogue may seem challenging, it remains a crucial step in resolving the situation, even if the outcome is uncertain.
The OAS recently faced a setback when it failed to pass a resolution urging Venezuela’s National Electoral Council to release the election results immediately. Despite garnering 17 votes in favor, the resolution did not pass due to 11 abstentions and five absences. Nevertheless, Mora remains hopeful that the OAS will continue to address the issue, acknowledging the broader implications of the Venezuelan crisis on the region.
Mora also mentioned that within the U.S., there are discussions about possibly revisiting the resolution, with informal talks taking place among OAS colleagues. Although no timeline has been provided for when the OAS might reconvene to discuss Venezuela, Mora emphasized the importance of the OAS and its member states taking a stand on the crisis.
Countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia have been in continuous contact with representatives of both Maduro and González, seeking to facilitate a dialogue. The international community’s call for negotiations between the government and the opposition is seen as a crucial, albeit slow, process. Mora stressed that patience is needed, as diplomatic efforts do not always yield immediate results.
When asked about potential changes to U.S. sanctions against Venezuela, Mora clarified that no new sanctions are being considered at this time. He reiterated the importance of giving diplomatic channels, both multilateral and bilateral, the time to work. While the U.S. is not ruling out any options, the focus remains on supporting the Venezuelan people without abandoning the possibility of a diplomatic solution.
In response to a query about whether the U.S. would support the OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro’s call to bring charges against Maduro at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mora noted that the U.S. is not a party to the treaty that established the ICC. Therefore, it would not participate in such a request. He did, however, commend the efforts of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in addressing the human rights situation in Venezuela.
In conclusion, the U.S. remains committed to a diplomatic resolution in Venezuela, with an emphasis on respecting the democratic will of the Venezuelan people. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions at both the OAS and within the U.S. government, as they navigate the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding Venezuela’s contested election.
