Published on Thursday, August 8, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

 

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Chaves met virtually with Venezuela's opposition leaders, Edmundo González-Urrutia and María Corina Machado-Parisca.




In July, Nicolás Maduro-Moros was declared the winner of the 2024 Presidential election, causing the majority of foreign leaders and governments to call the poll illegitimate.


During the meeting, which was shared on the government's social media, opposition leaders urged Costa Rica and the rest of the international community, including Presidents and Heads of State, as well as the Organization of American States (OAS), to speak up so that the Maduro regime recognizes the need for a  government transition.


"We need you to raise your voices, especially in Costa Rica, which is a reference in the defense of human rights, to put an end to this madness, so that the regime understands that its only option is to accept the terms of a negotiated transition and that we are willing to negotiate, but only after acknowledging the outcome that unequivocally gave Edmundo González victory as the new president," said Machado, leader of the opposition to the Venezuelan government regime.


González, the Unitary Platform Political Coalition's presidential candidate in the next election, has declared that he will fight for initiatives that encourage the international community to support Venezuela's democracy.


He urged that the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) publish the actual results of the poll that declared Maduro the winner.


"It was obvious fraud, and we must urge that Venezuelan judicial authorities reveal the minutes; everything is there, and the truth is there, "González remarked. "We must insist on this line of action and apply pressure on the administration to present the minutes."

According to Machado, "Maduro's only remaining support comes from the military leadership."

"Many members of our armed forces and police forces oppose Maduro because they do not want bloodshed or lying," she continued.

Both leaders condemned the regime's violent persecution in Venezuela, where over 2,200 people have been arrested and 24 have died.

Nicolás Maduro-Moros is a Venezuelan politician and the president of Venezuela since 2013. Maduro has been described as an autocrat and a dictator by democratic countries.

In July, Costa Rica called for a transparent recount of ballots in Venezuela's presidential election as the best approach to ensure that the results represent the will of the Venezuelan people.

Costa Rica also offered Venezuelan opposition leaders political asylum or refugee status.

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How could the Venezuelans depose President Nicolás Maduro without the support of the army?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com