Venezuela’s election: Guyana’s Private Sector condemns repression, violence meted out to Venezuelans

…calls for Caribbean community to unite in solidarity

Guyana’s Private Sector Commission of Guyana (PSC) on Monday voiced its deep concern regarding the recent developments in Venezuela following the General Election and the subsequent Resolution adopted by the Organization of American States (OAS). The PSC has affirmed its commitment to upholding democratic principles, human rights, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, in line with the OAS’s stance.
In a strongly worded on Monday night, the PSC highlighted Article 3 of the Inter-American Charter, which emphasizes the importance of “holding periodic free and fair elections based on secret balloting and universal suffrage as an expression of the sovereignty of the people.” The Commission expressed grave concern over the apparent disregard for these democratic principles in Venezuela, pointing to violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, and the political and economic instability that these actions could cause in the region.
The PSC condemned the repression and violence currently being experienced by the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of democracy and the rule of law. The Commission emphasised that these actions threaten not only the well-being of the Venezuelan population but also the stability of the entire region.
The PSC has called on all member countries of the Caribbean community, who value democracy and the practice of free and fair elections, to unite in expressing their solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The Commission urged these nations to support an impartial international verification of the true results of the Venezuelan General Elections, to ensure that the democratic will of the Venezuelan people is respected and upheld.
Over the past week, international media outlets have closely followed the unfolding situation in Venezuela. Reports have highlighted the contentious nature of the election, with opposition parties and international observers alleging widespread irregularities and voter suppression.
Respect Venezuelans
Guyana is among the 20 plus countries which recently signing on to a United States (US) led statement calling for the Nicolás Maduro regime to respect Venezuelans and their human rights amid its ongoing crackdown on dissidents.
In the joint statement, released by the US State Department last Friday, the countries had condemned the current crackdown on dissidents, which has seen thousands arrested and killed, including Venezuelan journalists and opposition politicians.
“We express our deep condemnation of the repression of protesters and the violence that has claimed the lives of many Venezuelans in the post-election context. We urgently call on Venezuelan authorities to end the violence and release all those who have been detained, including opposition representatives.”
“Furthermore, we request the immediate return of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to Venezuela, and call on Venezuela to ensure the necessary conditions for it to fully carry out its mandate,” the joint statement had said.
The countries had also made a number of other calls on Venezuela. These included calls for Venezuela to guarantee the safe conduct of asylum seekers currently trapped at the Argentine embassy, out of the country and in accordance with international law.
Argentine President Javier Milei has been one of Maduro’s strongest critics and has even called for the intervention of Venezuelan armed forces following the disputed elections. Venezuela for its part had ordered the removal of the Argentine diplomats at the facility, which has been protecting six members of the Venezuelan opposition seeking asylum, since March of this year. This had prompted Brazil to step in and offer its protection to the Argentine embassy.
Mention was also made of the fact that the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela is yet to present the electoral records that would verify the declaration it made of Maduro’s victory… a declaration that is at odds with the electoral records published by the opposition, which show that opposition Presidential candidate Edmundo González actually won the elections by a wide margin.
“Consequently, we request the immediate publication of all original records and the impartial and independent verification of those results, preferably by an international entity, to ensure respect for the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the polls. Any delay in this process calls into question the August 2, 2024, official proclamation,” the joint statement had said.
The countries signing on to the statement had included Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, Guyana, Italy, Morocco, The Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Suriname, Uruguay, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union. Guyana and Venezuela currently have a border controversy being adjudicated at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as Venezuela has unjustly claimed two thirds of Guyana, comprising of the mineral rich Essequibo, as its own.
The Maduro regime has also been stepping up its aggressive tactics, including a military buildup on Venezuela’s border with Guyana, a fact that has been roundly condemned by the international community.