Back to Nicolás Maduro: the "Contact Group" called for free elections and Uruguay aligned

The contact group, which groups countries that badyze a crisis in Venezuela, announced Thursday in Montevideo call for elections presidential elections "free, transparent and credible" to achieve peaceful solution "strictly Venezuelan" of the crisis. Uruguay has joined the initiative and Nicolás Maduro is even more lonely in the international conflict.

At the end of its first meeting, the group of European and Latin American countries made a final declaration facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in Venezuela. He also announced that he would send a "technical mission" to this country and that he would meet again in early March to take stock of progress made.

At a press conference given by the Uruguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rodolfo Nin Novoa, and the representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, it was requested that it be in Venezuela. "free presidential elections"It is crucial to restore democracy, the rule of law, the separation of powers and respect for the democratically elected National Assembly," said Novoa.

This announcement, with the support of Uruguay, meant a tough setback for Maduro, which has less and less international support. Mexico, on the other hand, did not accompany the decision of the Contact Group.

Federica Mogherini admitted that the discussions were "difficult" but "very constructive and frank". In addition, he noted that they had achieved "a concrete result".

In addition to Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom subscribed to the final declaration. Mexico participated in the meeting without belonging to the group and spoke against it, as did Bolivia.

What is the contact group

A group of countries in Europe and Latin America with diverse positions on Venezuela trying to find 90 exit to the crisis of the Caribbean nation.

The European Union (EU) with eight bloc countries and five Latin American countries reunited in the Montevideo presidential tower with the aim of "helping to create the conditions for a political and peaceful process to emerge "to the serious political crisis shakes Venezuela.

The initial goal was to have a small and balanced number of countries, which could allow a dialogue with both parties. However, although the EU as an organization did not do so, most of the bloc's countries, with the exception of Italy and a few others, they recognized Guaidó as acting president, which provoked Maduro's anger.

The meeting did not include representatives of the Maduro government or the Venezuelan opposition.