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The President in charge of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, made a proposal for five “even more concrete actions” for the defense of democracy at the “Summit of Democracy” to which he was invited by the U.S. counterpart, President Joe Biden.
President Guaido singled out the following points: “To build a unified front, with a multilateral approach, that holds the authoritarians responsible for the crimes committed; create mechanisms to protect democratic forces and human rights activists who maintain the struggle on the ground and who are victims of constant persecution; prioritize accountability, justice and reconciliation, to build lasting peace; In the specific case of Venezuela, it is necessary to commit to an inclusive and negotiated political solution that provides a genuine space for all sectors of society and supports the countries receiving refugees and migrants.”
He stated that in order to carry out such actions it is “fundamental, not only close cooperation from the democratic world in taking joint measures, but also the strategic unification and support of the leaders of the resistance movements in countries with authoritarian regimes, whom I call defenders of democracy, because we are in the first line of battle.”
It should be noted that the participation of the President in Charge occurred on December 9th, the first day of the Summit, which this year was online as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stressed that the invitation to such an important meeting of leaders of the free and democratic world is an “honor”, and thanked the opportunity in the name of Venezuela and its people.
“I thank President Biden for the invitation, and especially for the recognition of the struggle of my country: Venezuela, from where we continue to resist for freedom, facing one of the most terrible dictatorships in our history, which has caused the second largest migratory crisis in the world, displacing more than six million Venezuelans, just as countries at war.
President Guaidó was accompanied by a delegation made up of: Carlos Vecchio, Berta Valle, Soley Zambrano, Isadora Zubillaga, Rosa Maria Payá, Waleska Pérez León, Carlos A. Paparoni, Ana Rosario Contreras, Delsa Solorzano and Miguel Pizarro.
Democracy has defenders
President in Charge Guaidó highlighted in his message that “democracy has people who defend it,” however, it is necessary and a priority to do what is appropriate to do so.
“Some think the bad guys are winning, but I think the exact opposite is true. When we see leaders from around the world gathered here willing to join forces to strengthen democracy, the message is heard louder: democracy has someone who defends it, but we must do what is appropriate, and beyond a declaration, it is time to take even more concrete actions.”
He reiterated that the only guarantee to avoid the rise of authoritarian regimes that threaten people’s lives is precisely the defense and strengthening of democracy.
He denounced that democracy was dismantled in Venezuela, and as an example he cited that “for example, the dictatorship condemned 76% of Venezuelans to live in extreme poverty; kidnapped institutions and ended the rule of law; persecuted, imprisoned and tortured people who dissent, and that is why today it is the first regime in Latin America to be investigated by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.”
“Venezuela functions as a “safe haven” or “safe harbor” for drug trafficking, irregular armed groups, and for totalitarian countries’ operations. These have benefited by offering political and financial support to the dictatorship in exchange for lucrative assets of the nation and geopolitical positioning.”
Finally, he warned about the urgency of the actions and insisted that it is essential to understand that “fighting for Democracy will not be a short race, because it is a marathon that will have obstacles, and many will say that it is impossible, but we will never lose faith and confidence, the conviction that we can do it. ‘The Good Guys’ we are many more. Together we can save democracy.”
