Lima Group supports National Emergency Government in Venezuela

"The governments of Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela, members of the Lima Group, reiterate their commitment to support the return of democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela," the member countries said in a joint statement issued on Thursday.

In addition, they confirmed the call made at their last ministerial meeting, held in Canada, for the international community to send a clear and unequivocal message to end the crisis affecting the Venezuelan people, which has been exacerbated in recent weeks by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the other hand, they reaffirm their conviction that it is Venezuelans who must lead the return to democracy in Venezuela, recognizing that the severity of the crisis requires international support in order to peacefully achieve this goal. 

"Given this, we support the proposal made by Interim President Juan Guaido, on behalf of the National Assembly of Venezuela, to establish a National Emergency Government composed of all the political and social sectors of the country," the document stated.

According to the Lima Group, said government would in turn create a Council of State, which would make the fundamental decisions to guarantee an emergency response, mitigation of the pandemic, international humanitarian assistance and international financial support. 

It would also approve the standards for national reconciliation, framed in respect for human rights, and for the holding of democratic general elections with renewed and independent electoral bodies and international observation.

"We take note of the important proposal from the United States of America, the Democratic Transition Framework for Venezuela, for the creation of a Transitional Government, and we highlight its alignment with the objective of the Lima Group to support the return to democracy in Venezuela through free, fair and transparent presidential as well as parliamentary elections," the statement read.

The Group said it appreciates the efforts made by other members of the international community with the same objective. 

This includes those who provide humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people and to the millions of Venezuelans displaced from their country, and who have contributed important resources to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the important role of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and those who tirelessly demand respect for human rights in Venezuela.

"The countries of the Lima Group are following with deep concern the situation in Venezuela. We urge the international community to work together to support Venezuelans in finding a peaceful solution that urgently addresses the serious crisis they face and leads to the reestablishment of the rule of law and the constitutional and democratic order in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people have the full support of the countries of the Lima Group," it added.

(END) NDP/RMB/MVB