By Luis De Jesus
09 Aug 2024, 21:24 PM EDT
Venezuelan socialist Nicolás Maduro said on Friday that the only way to negotiate with opposition leader María Corina Machado is for her to surrender to justice.
The statement came after Machado and Edmundo González, candidate of the main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform, proposed rapprochement after questioning the validity of his victory in the recent presidential elections.
Maduro accused Machado and González Urrutia of fomenting violence during protests against the official result, which gave him a victory that has not been proven.
The president indicated that the only dialogue that is appropriate is the one that Attorney General Tarek William Saab, aligned with Chavista ideas, should carry out with Machado so that she “shows her face” and answers for what he considers “crimes committed.”
In contrast, Maduro announced his intention to convene a “political dialogue” with the 38 parties registered with the National Electoral Council. No date was specified for this meeting, but he said he hopes that opportunities will arise for “future understanding.”
What did Maria Corina Machado say?
María Corina Machado said last Wednesday that Maduro should consider negotiation as his best option.
The opposition leader confirmed the willingness of the Democratic Unitary Platform to negotiate a transition, citing the example of Panama, which offered political asylum to Maduro to resolve the post-electoral crisis.
The coalition published 83.5% of the electoral records that prove González Urrutia’s victory. However, the Maduro regime rejects these documents and has claimed that they are “forged.”
Numerous Venezuelans, members and witnesses of the polling station, have confirmed the authenticity of these minutes, including the Carter Center, while the CNE has not yet published the official documents certifying Maduro’s alleged victory.
Twelve days after the elections, the CNE has not complied with legal regulations requiring publication. The process of certifying the official result is in the hands of the Supreme Court of Justice, which also responds to the interests of the socialist ruler.
Continue reading:
• Mexico, Colombia and Brazil reject the TSJ as the body to publish the results in Venezuela
• Venezuela: Carter Center confirms Edmundo González as winner of elections
• María Corina Machado urges Maduro to start negotiations for the transition