translated from Spanish: International Contact Group announces mission to Venezuela

The International Contact Group, formed by European and American countries following the self-proclamation of Juan Guaidó as Venezuelan interim president, will send a “mission at the political level” to Caracas in order to present the parties to the conflict Proposals with a view to a “peaceful and democratic” solution to the crisis. This was announced on Tuesday by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, who gave no further details about when the mission would take place, who would integrate it or what kind of proposals would put on the table of Government of Nicholas Maduro and the opponents led by Guaidó. At the meeting that began on Monday night, representatives from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom were involved; While in Latin America Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay and Bolivia did, although the latter country-one of the main allies of the Maduro government-did not sign the final declaration, a ten-point text adopted on Tuesday in San Jose and read Mogherini , also vice-President of the European Commission. The GIC reiterated its commitment to a “political solution, peaceful, democratic and decided by the Venezuelan people themselves, by holding free and fair presidential elections as soon as possible”. It also called for “moderation” of Venezuelan law enforcement to prevent further deaths, dismantling of irregular armed groups and respect for the right to peaceful demonstration. The signatories condemned what they considered to be “flawed judicial proceedings to criminalize the protest” and the actions taken against representatives of the National Assembly, which they reiterated their support for. The declaration of San José was clearly addressed to the judicial proceedings initiated this Tuesday in Caracas by the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela against seven deputies opposed for treason and rebellion after the failed military uprising of last week . The IGC expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and called for free access to humanitarian organizations so that they could “significantly intensify attendance quickly, without restriction and free from any Political interference. ”

Original source in Spanish