What do Colombians think about the Petro government’s attitude towards the Venezuelan elections?

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has not yet established a specific position regarding the result of the presidential elections in Venezuela, to which recently described as a “mistake”. His apparent indecision and the absence of a concrete position on the recognition of Nicolás Maduro as president, given the imminent inauguration in January, generates mixed opinions among Colombians.

The Voice of America toured the streets of Bogotá to find out what the capital’s residents think about Casa de Nariño’s attitude in the face of this complex situation. The majority of those interviewed indicated that although bilateral relations should remain in force, they should not be recognized Maduro as the official winner of the elections, results disputed by the opposition who claims to have proof of his victory.

For the young Cindy Fernández, the Colombian president “always takes attitudes as if they should not risk too much of his position,” but she definitely believes “that it should be taken as a black or white side and not a gray one.”

“The opposition should be recognized” because “there was fraud, it is quite evident,” he added.

Opinion shared by Myriam Bautista, who describes the Venezuelan elections as “an electoral process that is absolutely deceitful and rigged to the interests of the government of [Nicolás] Ripe”.

According to a recent survey by the polling firm Cifras y Conceptos, in alliance with the Universidad del Rosario and the Konrad Adenauer foundation, 90% of Colombians believe that their government should not recognize Maduro as president of Venezuela on January 10, 2025. , when the presidential inauguration takes place.

The student Carlos Giraldo assures that if he does so, Colombia ““I would be recognizing a dictatorship” and it would be “like accepting a yoke that is being imposed on all people.”

And the minutes?

According to the survey, which was carried out among 1,618 people in the cities of Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali and Medellín, 58% of those surveyed totally agree that President Gustavo Petro demands that the government of Nicolás Maduro publicly disclose election records that would have given him victory. On the contrary, 29% stated that they strongly disagreed.

Citizen Edward Reyes told the VOA that the fact that the National Electoral Commission has not presented evidence of the results that give victory to Maduro “is reliable proof that the (Venezuelan) elections were fraudulent.”

The young Giraldo described this demand as “a right for everyone, not only for Venezuela, but for other leaders, for other people, to know who the chosen one is.”

The Colombian head of state and his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis Gilberto Murillo, like other countries, have demanded that the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela publish the complete minutes of the July 28 elections, a request that has so far not been met. has had a response.

Bilateral relations

The Colombians interviewed by the VOA They believe, however, that Colombia should continue maintaining bilateral relations with the neighboring country, regardless of who arrives at the Miraflores Palace in January.

For Reyes, they are “brother” countries that share “a very large border,” in addition to “trade and families on the side, on the side. So that (relationships) always has to stay current,” he added.

Fernández indicated that “it is necessary” to maintain bilateral contact, as did Bautista, who pointed out that ““It is better for both citizens here and there and for international trade.”

However, he emphasized that “without the government being valid,” he finds it “very difficult to maintain relations… this is not going anywhere,” he lamented.

“Although it should not be accepted that he is the elected president, it would be good to manage a relationship,” added the young Giraldo.

Regarding diplomatic, commercial and consular relations with Venezuela, the Cifra y Conceptos survey indicated that 51% totally disagree with maintaining them, “due to Maduro’s lack of legitimacy in power.” Only 28% strongly agree that they continue.

Other findings of the study are related to the processes of peace negotiation with the ELN guerrilla and the dissidents of the FARC Revolutionary Armed Forces.

For 74%, the president should not keep the Maduro government as guarantor of these processes, and 65% are against the Petro government converting the Venezuelan State as its main international gas supplier for Colombia. On the other hand, 28% of those questioned maintain a favorable opinion on the matter.

Venezuela is currently suffering a severe post-electoral crisis, amid questions about the transparency of the electoral process and complaints of repression by the opposition, which Caracas disqualifies, in turn denouncing the opponents as responsible for the violence unleashed after the elections.

While governments such as the United States, Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador have recognized former opposition candidate Edmundo González – exiled in Spain -, other countries such as Colombia and Brazil, historical allies of Maduro, have not spoken out firmly but have criticized the lack of transparency. and requested the publication of the disaggregated results.

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo stated that Maduro will be recognized if the voting records are presented, although Casa de Nariño is still silent on his position after the January inauguration. The Venezuelan government has already sent a formal invitation to this event, to which the Petro administration has not yet confirmed its attendance.

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