Argentina and Uruguay urge Venezuela to hold free elections and agree on the need for humanitarian assistance

The Presidents of Argentina and Uruguay decided today to seek a "democratic solution" with a call for free elections in Venezuela and they are committed Urge Nicolás Maduro's regime to guarantee the entry of humanitarian aid by the international community.

Although the Venezuelan government, which supports Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez, refuses to receive help from abroad in the face of the serious humanitarian crisis, the fact is that Macri and his Uruguayan counterpart They agreed on the need to address the lack of food and medicine for Venezuelans.

At a meeting that was held today at the Vázquez Presidential Residence in Colonia, a joint document was signed, in which he states that the two heads of state badyzed the political and social situation in Venezuela. So, they noticed that "Both countries call for a democratic solution with free and credible elections and reliable international controls."

This was the only paragraph referring to the crisis in Venezuela, although the two presidents were concerned to ask Maduro to accept international humanitarian aid and to organize mechanisms for holding free elections.

At the same time, during the meeting held in Cologne, they badyzed the situation regarding the Mercusur and agreed on its importance, in order to "reinvigorate this process of regional integration and its modernization with regard to prospects and modalities allowing to conclude trade agreements with countries. " additional region or with other regional blocks ".

On the other hand, the text approved by the two presidents underlines that the two countries will work together to strengthen bilateral relations.

Macri arrived by helicopter accompanied only by Secretary of Strategic Affairs, Fulvio Pompeo, and a guard. The chancellor did not travel and there was a lot of secrecy after the meeting.

As you may have known Infobae, Macri's intention was to reinforce the pressure exerted by Mercosur on the Venezuelan regime and to badert itself as the undisputed leader of the region on this issue.

The conclave that took place this afternoon at the Anchorena residence in Colonia was specifically requested by Macri a Vázquez as an example of the gravity of the situation in Venezuela.

For its part, the Uruguayan government has been trying in recent days to contact Maduro to accept, through the International Red Cross, to channel the food aid provided by many countries to Venezuela. This was well received by Macri.

Macri and Vázquez had until now had serious disputes over the Venezuelan conflict since the Uruguayan president was benevolent with the Maduro regime. In fact the Uruguayan presidency is one of the few not to recognize acting president, Juan Guaidó, until now.

In turn, Uruguay and Mexico have proposed to the UN to mediate in a space of dialogue between the mature opposition and the Venezuelan opposition.

Instead, Macri raised heated questions in Caracas about the lack of freedom, demanded the dismissal of Maduro and supported the transitional government elected by the National Assembly.