Antony Blink, United States Secretary of State, reiterated this Monday the need to resume the negotiation between the government of Nicolás Maduro and the opposition. The statements were offered during a meeting with Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
The US official indicated that in his conversations with the Colombian president they addressed the best way in which both governments could contribute to democracy in Venezuela.
Blinken Statements
“Our hope is that the Maduro regime and the Unitarian Platform can carry out a dialogue. May this lead to the necessary conditions to have free and impartial elections to restore democracy in Venezuela, so that they can once again have the support of the international community; and have a better context for Venezuelans,” he said.
And he continued: “That is what is necessary so that Venezuelans do not feel that they must leave their country; so that Venezuelans who have left their country can return. Our hope is that we will see a resumption of dialogue, of negotiations, and that Venezuela can return to the path of democracy through free and fair elections.”
Protection Treaty for Colombian Migrants
At the meeting, Petro asked Blinken that the White House consider granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Colombians in the United States.
“I think a TPS for Colombians is necessary,” Petro said. It is estimated that there are 2.6 million Colombians in the United States.