The Lima group in Bogotá discusses the crisis in Venezuela

Colombian President Iván Duque opened the Lima Group meeting in Bogotá, asking applause for Venezuelan Juan Guaidó: "I want to express the profound honor of being here today to join the Lima group, President Juan Guaidó."

"We are here to show that multilateralism is a favorite place, we show that there is good coordination when it comes to serving a people flogged with the most shameful hatred." Today, we show that diplomacy was stronger than ever, threats or fight rhetoric. Today, we put things in the clarity they deserve: the situation in Venezuela is not a dilemma between war and peace, we are here because the real dilemma is the continuation of tyranny or triumph of democracy, rights of freedom, "said Duque.

"I hope that today the Lima group is launching this call for Venezuelan military forces to be placed on the right side of history and offer their loyalty to the National Assembly." and to the president in charge so that the dictatorship reaches its final end. " said Duque

After the Colombian, the president in charge of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, took the floor and asked for a minute of silence "for the mbadacre suffered by the population of Venezuela, Saturday, February 23".

"Today, the Maduro regime believes that refusing humanitarian aid will perpetuate power," Guaidó said. He described as "sadistic" the attitude of the regime that burned humanitarian aid. "It's time to act," asked the opponent.

And he warned: "A terrorist sanctuary in Venezuela is a risk for the region".

The Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, also supported the Venezuelan opposition and affirmed that the Venezuelan people are going through a "crucial" moment. "The tyrant of Caracas danced while his henchmen were burning trucks loaded with food and medicine," lamented the American.

And he transmitted a "simple" message to Guaidó and the Venezuelan people: "President Trump has asked me to say yes, we are with you at 10%, we are at your side and we will continue to support you until democracy and freedom are restored, he said. There is no turning back. "

The American also warned that "any threat against Colombia," the main US partner in the region, will face the "determination" of the Trump government.

In the same line, Hamilton Mourao, Vice President of Brazil, alerted: "The most dangerous thing is that the Caracas regime has brought in the region external actors who can take advantage of the conflicts."

The Lima group meets today in the presence of US Vice President Mike Pence and Juan Guaidó, who has proclaimed himself Venezuela's interim president, to narrow the "diplomatic fence" to Nicolás Maduro after the attempt of help. humanitarian aid to this country will end with violence.

The summit, held at the San Carlos Palace, headquarters of the Foreign Ministry, was announced on February 14 during the visit of Colombian President Ivan Duque to Washington to meet his American counterpart Donald Trump.

The United States urged members of the Lima group to immediately freeze PDVSA's holdings in their country, transfer Maduro's henchmen's badets to the Guaidó government, limit the issuance of visas to the Maduro Circle and vote at the IDB to recognize Guaidó.

Pence also sent a message to those who still support the regime: "To members of the Venezuelan armed forces, make the right choice, accept Guaidó's offer of sincere amnesty, otherwise they would lose everything."