The newly elected Broad Front government in Uruguay has stated it will not recognize Nicolás Maduro or Edmundo González Urrutia as legitimate leaders following contested elections in Venezuela. Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin confirmed this stance while acknowledging significant diplomatic challenges related to the situation affecting Uruguayan citizens in Venezuela. The government faces criticism for its handling of the present political context, balancing diplomatic relationships and recognition policies.
Uruguay’s new government, led by President Yamandú Orsi and the Broad Front party, has declared it will not recognize Nicolás Maduro or Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia following the disputed July 28 elections. Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin emphasized that Montevideo rejects the legitimacy of both leaders, stating, “We do not recognize either Maduro or the president who claimed to have triumphed according to the minutes he showed on the Internet.”
Lubetkin contrasted current positions with the previous government, which had previously acknowledged González Urrutia as the rightful president-elect. He acknowledged that although Uruguay does not accept the electoral outcome, the country faces diplomatic challenges regarding its relations with Venezuela. The Foreign Minister mentioned, “What do we do with the thousands of Uruguayans who are in Venezuela?” suggesting a nuanced diplomatic reality.
Despite the lack of recognition for the Venezuelan elections, Lubetkin revealed that the relationship between Uruguay and Venezuela remains essentially broken, with embassies nearly closed. He characterized the situation in Venezuela as “ambiguous,” recognizing the control of state and economy management but asserting that this does not equate to recognition.
When asked about labeling Maduro as a dictator, Lubetkin conveyed that President Orsi had addressed this issue by acknowledging the electoral failures indicative of undemocratic processes. He stated, “We cannot recognize a democratic reality when the electoral process did not live up to the guarantees that a democratic state can give us.”
Senator Javier García, a former Defense Minister, noted that President Orsi’s prior condemnation of Maduro as a dictator seems contradictory to approximating legitimacy to the regime shortly after taking office, leading to criticisms from various opposition figures.
Uruguay’s shift in diplomatic stance reflects a complex approach to international relations amid controversies surrounding Venezuelan elections. While maintaining a firm position against recognizing Maduro and González Urrutia, the government must navigate existing diplomatic challenges, particularly concerning its citizens in Venezuela. As such, despite the formal rejection of recognition, practical diplomatic considerations remain a priority.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
