Uruguay's position change: signing of contact group statement proposing elections in Venezuela

On behalf of the executive of Tabaré Vázquez, the Chancellor Rodolfo Nin Novoa, who signed the statement with the rest of the diplomats present, with the exception of the Bolivian envoy, faithful ally of Nicolás Maduro.

The meeting brought together high level delegations from 16 European and American countries who form the so-called International Contact Group (ICG), which met for the first time last month in Montevideo.

The meeting that was held Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador ended with a document that includes a condemns the decision of the Venezuelan Office of the Controller to disqualify Juan Guaidó for 15 years exercise a public office.

"This is another proof of the urgency of restoring democracy, the separation of powers and the rule of law in the country."said the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini, who co-chaired the meeting with the host, the Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Valencia.

At this second meeting, which was attended by eight chancellors, insisted a peaceful solution to the crisis excluding the use of force, by organizing "free, transparent and credible elections as soon as possible".

The group was formed shortly after the president of the Venezuelan Parliament proclaimed himself acting president, recognized by more than 50 countries, with the hope that this action would engender.

However, with regard to the times and deadlines for holding elections in that country, the officials preferred not to pronounceand this time they advocated pragmatism and the offer of experience in electoral processes such as the Twenty-Eight, "on the basis of a road map".