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By Kevon Browne
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS (WINN) – Protests continue in Venezuela’s capital following the recent election win of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to international reports.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called for demonstrations across Venezuela and the international community, encouraging her supporters to “remain steadfast and united.”
The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced in early August that Maduro had received 52% of the vote, while his main rival Edmundo González received 43%.
The opposition disputed those results, claiming their count showed Gonzalez had won, leading to international calls for Maduro’s government to release details of the vote.
Severe unrest in the post-election period, which left at least 25 people dead, nearly 200 injured and more than 2,400 arrested, has raised concerns that the government may take further action against opposition leaders and demonstrators.
On August 22, 2024, Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of St. Kitts and Nevis, spoke about the situation in Venezuela at a press conference. He said that the matter is being dealt with at all levels and St. Kitts and Nevis is involved in the ongoing discussions through ambassadors and representatives.
“Of course, the situation is being dealt with at the highest diplomatic level. In fact, I was one of those who congratulated the incumbent president on his appointment as foreign minister after receiving the initial reports of his victory. But of course, it seems that some issues are being raised after the fact; we are in contact at the highest level with our colleagues at the OAS, even though Venezuela is no longer a member of the OAS, as they withdrew from it back in 2019.
“But the OAS and our representative there, Ambassador Henry Martin, and the deputy ambassador there, I should say, the permanent representative, Abdullah Skerrit, both of them are working with our Caribbean and other American colleagues on this particular issue. So CARICOM is also involved. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States is also involved. At this point, there are positions that have been put forward. Some of these positions have not been supported by international bodies in the Western Hemisphere or in the United Nations. So, the matter remains unresolved.”
He condemned the violence that has occurred since the election results were announced, noting that regional and international efforts were underway to address the issue but that further action might be needed.
“If I am not mistaken, I think the President has asked the constitutional body, the judiciary, which is responsible for reviewing electoral practices. I believe that body has already begun to review the situation. So St. Kitts and Nevis is awaiting the decision (to be made). So we all hope that the country can be settled. Of course, we abhor any kind of violence that occurs due to national uncertainty. We join our counterparts in asking Venezuela to remain peaceful and calm at this time. Venezuela is a very strong ally of St. Kitts and Nevis. We respect this friendship. We hope that, in the end, whatever the outcome of the decision on the intervention at all levels, it will help consolidate the democratic process and improve the lives of the Venezuelan people.”
The electoral situation in Venezuela comes on the heels of an ongoing territorial dispute with Guyana. In late 2023, Venezuela reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Esikibo region, prompting widespread reactions from regional and international entities. The Argyle Agreement, signed in December 2023, was intended to ease tensions, but Venezuela continues to assert its sovereignty through legislation passed in early 2024. In June 2024, both Guyana and Venezuela filed additional pleadings with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the border dispute, which remains unresolved.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Venezuela’s current political and territorial issues are also under close scrutiny.
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