The International Contact Group called for free elections in Venezuela and the entry of humanitarian aid

The European Union managed to get its proposal to convene free presidential elections in Venezuela and the arrival of humanitarian aid in this Caribbean country, with the support of the International Contact Group (ICG), with the exception of Bolivia, which did not prevent the final declaration but decided not to sign it.

The meeting lasted four hours and the final declaration was signed by Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, Uruguay, European Union, Costa Rica and Ecuador.

From the beginning of the meeting, the EU delegate Federica Mogherini (Vice-President and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy), had pointed out that the discussion was about the proposal that started with the GCI and that had nothing to do with another initiative known a few days ago, the "Montevideo Mechanism" supported by Uruguay, Mexico and the Caricom countries. In this project, there was talk of dialogue between the Maduro government and the opposition, but nothing was mentioned to advance the elections or the arrival of humanitarian aid.

Dotted with this aspect, delegations started to work on a final declaration that would be consistent with all parties. In summary, it was agreed send a technical mission to Venezuela progress in the efforts to achieve free elections and entry of humanitarian aid, favoring a table of dialogue between Chavez and the opposition.

The final declaration states that "it is essential to restore democracy in all its dimensions, to respect the rule of law, to establish the guarantees necessary for a credible electoral process as soon as possible and to to recognize the democratically elected National Assembly ".

The existence of a humanitarian crisis is also recognized and the commitment of the GCI was expressed for the help to reach Venezuela. At the same time, Maduro would have recognize the separation of powers and respect for human rights.

The GCI is committed to "supporting a peaceful, political, democratic and truly Venezuelan resolution of the crisis, excluding the use of force. through free, transparent and credible presidential electionsaccording to the Venezuelan constitution ", according to the final document.

Once the final declaration was read, those who answered the questions of the journalists present at the meeting venue were the Uruguayan Chancellor. Rodolfo Nin Novoa and Federica Mogherini. The Italian diplomat stressed the deadline of action of the GCI, which will be 90 days, stating that his efforts could end sooner if no progress is planned or prolonged, an evaluation meeting having place at the beginning of March.

Initially, the GCI will seek parties to the conflict to set up a dialogue table, but to facilitate this, he will seek to convince Maduro of the release of political prisoners, their dismissal and to legitimize the National Assembly.

The European diplomat added that one of the main objectives was to obtain humanitarian aid. "This is particularly important. We mobilized nearly 60 million euros to support the people of Venezuela that we find in neighboring countries and that 5 million more will be mobilized, "he said, adding that" the aid must be conveyed independently for that he is not politicized " and must be managed properly, for which The EU is willing to open an office of humanitarian aid in Venezuela.

"I understand that there is frustration and skepticism about the fact that this process is nothing more than giving Maduro time," said Mogherini, while adding that he should "contribute to a political, peaceful and democratic solution".

On his side, Nin Novoa said that in terms of humanitarian aid, "we have the task of convincing" the Maduro government to accept, since it is "imperious".

Asked about the interim president's position Juan Guaidó Nin Novoa baderted that there was no negotiation without dialogue and that "intransigence blocked the path of the solution", even though "dialogue can not be eternal". For the Chancellor of Uruguay, "the solution to the Venezuelan problem is such that we start talking about elections" but "we do not set deadlines or dates because it is a Venezuelan problem".

Mexico does not integrate the GCI, although it participated in the deliberations. His chancellor Marcelo Ebrard was the promoter of the so-called "Montevideo mechanism" and declared that it, even with the statement of the GCI, is still valid. Ebrard baderted that the idea of ​​creating a dialogue table between the opposition and the Maduro government through a group of mediators continues.

Uruguay, which integrates the two groups (the GCI and the Montevideo Mechanism), will constitute the "communication case" between Venezuela's two proposals for ending the crisis.