The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Achadefended this Friday, September 25, the right of citizens and political leaders to return to their country and participate in political life.
Martínez-Acha’s statements become relevant this week due to the situation he is experiencing the opposition leader and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, María Corina Machadowho remains in Panama City after several failed attempts to return to Venezuela.
During his speech, Martínez-Acha maintained that the right of citizens and political leaders to return to their own country and participate in the construction of their future should not depend on your identity or political affiliation.
“The right of citizens and political leaders to return to their own country and participate in the construction of their political future should not depend on the political identity of the person who returns,” he said.
Martínez-Acha made the proposal during the III Celac-European Union Ministerial Meetingheld in New York City on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The chancellor linked political participation and democratic guarantees with any process of institutional reconstruction in Venezuela.
“There is no solid democracy if there are no effective political rights,” stated the Panamanian minister.
The statement comes days after Machado’s public relations team and spokespersons reported that the leader tried to return to Venezuela. three times from Panama this weekwithout achieving it. With these new attempts, they would at least seven occasions in which Machado has tried to return to the country since his departure.
According to EFE, Machado’s team reported that she was prevented from flying from Panama and that the leader remains in the country without being able to arrange her return.
Martínez-Acha: ‘It is the defense of a principle’
The Panamanian foreign minister distanced himself between the defense of political rights and the particular support for a political figure.
“Our position should not be understood as the defense of one person against another. It is the defense of a principle,” he stated.
Martínez-Acha maintained that an eventual process of democratic reconstruction in Venezuela requires the participation of different political currents and guarantees for the exercise of citizen rights.
“Venezuela needs a future built by Venezuelans, with participation, guarantees, national reconciliation, legitimate institutions and respect for political rights,” he said.
The chancellor added that national reconciliation cannot be built by excluding political voices, but rather by creating conditions so that they can participate peacefully.
Machado remains in Panama
The Venezuelan leader’s team informed La Estrella de Panamá that the three most recent attempts occurred from Panama.
The spokespersons indicated that, with these actions, there are at least seven attempts by the opponent to return to Venezuela.
The new attempts occurred while the Venezuelan interim president, Delcy Rodriguezwas in New York City for activities related to the UN General Assembly.
