Uruguay’s new government has declared it does not recognize Edmundo González Urrutia as the President-elect of Venezuela, maintaining a stance against Nicolás Maduro’s regime as well. This decision raises concerns regarding diplomatic relations with Venezuela, as thousands of Uruguayans live there. The government acknowledges the difficult diplomatic situation and continues to refer to Maduro’s government as undemocratic.
In a recent announcement under the leadership of President Yamandú Orsi, Uruguay’s new government declared that it will not recognize Edmundo González Urrutia as the President-elect of Venezuela. This statement follows the controversial elections held on July 28, where Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner amid allegations of electoral fraud. Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin emphasized that Uruguay also does not acknowledge Maduro’s presidency.
Lubetkin stated, “We do not recognize either Maduro or the president who claimed to have triumphed according to the minutes he showed on the Internet.” He questioned the validity of ignoring peace agreements, citing the Oslo accords as a reference. Previously, the Multicolor coalition government of Luis Lacalle Pou had recognized González Urrutia as the legitimate president-elect.
The Foreign Minister acknowledged a diplomatic dilemma for Uruguay, noting, “relations between Uruguay and Venezuela are at zero, embassies are almost closed.” He raised concerns regarding the safety of the thousands of Uruguayans currently residing in Venezuela while stating that this situation does not indicate a restoration of diplomatic relations. Lubetkin expressed, “What do we do with the thousands of Uruguayans who are in Venezuela? Who protects them?”
Lubetkin characterized the situation in Venezuela as “ambiguous,” recognizing the country’s state control yet insisting that such issues did not warrant a formal recognition of its leadership. Responding to questions regarding Maduro’s governance, he affirmed that President Orsi had referred to him as a “dictator” during the electoral campaign, reflecting concerns surrounding Venezuela’s democratic processes. He stated, “we cannot recognize a democratic reality when the electoral process did not live up to the guarantees that a democratic state can give us.”
Former Defense Minister and current Senator Javier García noted the contradiction in the current government’s approach, highlighting Orsi’s previous criticisms of Maduro. Critics from the opposition have voiced their discontent with Orsi’s shift in policy soon after his inauguration, reflecting ongoing tensions surrounding Venezuela’s political climate.
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Uruguay’s new government, led by President Yamandú Orsi, has decided to reject Edmundo González Urrutia’s claim to the Venezuelan presidency, aligning with a position that also does not recognize Nicolás Maduro. This leads to a complex diplomatic situation given the presence of many Uruguayans in Venezuela and reflects broader concerns regarding the democratic legitimacy of Maduro’s regime. Uruguayan officials maintain the necessity of addressing these diplomatic challenges despite rejecting Maduro’s leadership.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
