Slight Thaw in Venezuela*
The first approach made by the government to a sector of the opposition does not reflect the urgency of the need to begin a clear democratic process
The enormous sense of expectation caused by the announcement of the start of talks between the Venezuelan Chavismo government and the opposition was tempered on Saturday when this was reduced to a brief phone call between Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, and opposition leader Dinorah Figuera. This is a very small step so far for a country reeling from a humanitarian crisis made worse by the tragedy of the earthquake that caused more than 5,000 deaths. Once and for all, the country must move toward a democratic future with true political plurality and free elections. Both sides have committed to a face-to-face meeting soon.
The rules of negotiation have been drawn up by the U.S. In practice, the U.S. has had control over the country since the military intervention of Jan. 3 when President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured. They are now in prison in New York awaiting trial. The State Department is the declared arbiter of Venezuelan institutions and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio carries the baton for the process.
The objectives of the process are not clear. President Donald Trump has promised to restore Venezuela to democracy. However, at the same time, on social media he is playing with the idea of total annexation of the country and making it the 51st state of the union. Trump’s government, however, cannot expect to influence the way Venezuelans vote. Nor can it decide who should take part in these highly anticipated talks, leaving out sectors of the opposition with the greatest support, like the one led by María Corina Machado. The opposition leader who led the electoral defeat of the Chavismo government is keeping a low profile and has said that she will not be an obstacle in the process.
Venezuela urgently needs to go to the ballot box, but with clear ground rules. These include an independent National Electoral Council, the complete restitution of political parties, all political prisoners to be set free, the safe return of exiled leaders and the presence of international observers. The most important item on the agenda of any negotiation must have the objective of bringing the dates of a clear electoral calendar closer. But this is not yet on the table. Chavismo must show there is a real interest in negotiations that go further than a phone call.
Venezuela's citizens have paid a very high price for the lack of democracy in their country: the exodus of millions of people, economic collapse, a painful humanitarian crisis and finally, the loss of sovereignty. Venezuela’s future cannot be under U.S. guardianship. Only free and fair elections with the participation of all sectors of the opposition will give legitimacy back to the institutions and allow a real reconstruction of the country to begin. The slight thaw on Saturday can only be seen as something positive if it is the first step in the process.
*Editor’s note: This article is available in its original language with a paid subscription.
The enormous sense of expectation caused by the announcement of the start of talks between the Venezuelan Chavismo government and the opposition was tempered on Saturday when this was reduced to a brief phone call between Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, and opposition leader Dinorah Figuera. This is a very small step so far for a country reeling from a humanitarian crisis made worse by the tragedy of the earthquake that caused more than 5,000 deaths. Once and for all, the country must move toward a democratic future with true political plurality and free elections. Both sides have committed to a face-to-face meeting soon.
The rules of negotiation have been drawn up by the U.S. In practice, the U.S. has had control over the country since the military intervention of Jan. 3 when President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured. They are now in prison in New York awaiting trial. The State Department is the declared arbiter of Venezuelan institutions and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio carries the baton for the process.
The objectives of the process are not clear. President Donald Trump has promised to restore Venezuela to democracy. However, at the same time, on social media he is playing with the idea of total annexation of the country and making it the 51st state of the union. Trump’s government, however, cannot expect to influence the way Venezuelans vote. Nor can it decide who should take part in these highly anticipated talks, leaving out sectors of the opposition with the greatest support, like the one led by María Corina Machado. The opposition leader who led the electoral defeat of the Chavismo government is keeping a low profile and has said that she will not be an obstacle in the process.
Venezuela urgently needs to go to the ballot box, but with clear ground rules. These include an independent National Electoral Council, the complete restitution of political parties, all political prisoners to be set free, the safe return of exiled leaders and the presence of international observers. The most important item on the agenda of any negotiation must have the objective of bringing the dates of a clear electoral calendar closer. But this is not yet on the table. Chavismo must show there is a real interest in negotiations that go further than a phone call.
Venezuela's citizens have paid a very high price for the lack of democracy in their country: the exodus of millions of people, economic collapse, a painful humanitarian crisis and finally, the loss of sovereignty. Venezuela’s future cannot be under U.S. guardianship. Only free and fair elections with the participation of all sectors of the opposition will give legitimacy back to the institutions and allow a real reconstruction of the country to begin. The slight thaw on Saturday can only be seen as something positive if it is the first step in the process.
*Editor’s note: This article is available in its original language with a paid subscription.
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