The United States assured this Thursday that under no circumstances will it invite representatives of the government of Nicolás Maduro to the Summit of the Americas, scheduled for next month in Los Angeles.
“Absolutely not. We do not recognize it as a sovereign government,” Kevin O’Reilly, coordinator of the Summit, told a Senate committee when asked about the participation of the Venezuelan authorities, reported AFP.
Asked about the possible participation in the summit of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, accused of growing authoritarianism, O’Reilly was also definitive: no.
He was less blunt when answering questions about the possible participation of representatives of the Cuban government. He said that the White House was in charge but that to his knowledge no invitation had yet been sent.
Maduro assured that he will be present
Maduro assured last Tuesday that the voice of Venezuela, as well as those of Cuba and Nicaragua, will be present at the Summit of the Americas. The US government has made it clear that it will not invite undemocratic regimes.
“Whatever they do in Washington, the voice of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua will reach Los Angeles in the great protests of the people and our voice will be in that room. Whatever the government of the United States says, we will be there with our truth,” said the ruling party in an act broadcast by Venezolana de Televisión.
“We have our tricks. I’m not going to reveal any secrets, but what we will be, we will be. They have not been able to exclude us nor will they be able to exclude us, there will be surprises. I am buying my ticket. I’m going to get there on foot in a big march to Los Angeles, ”she added with a laugh.
Among the leaders who have expressed their support for the regimes of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua is Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The Mexican president warned that he would not attend the Summit if there will be excluded, although he did not deny that his foreign minister will attend, EFE published.
O’Reilly He said that the US government is in constant dialogue with Mexico. “Certainly we are having conversations with the government of Mexico and all the governments in the region about the structure and the organization”, indicated the organizer of the Summit.
The presidents of Bolivia and Guatemala, Luis Arce and Alejandro Gianmattei, also stated that they would not attend if all the countries were not invited of the continent. Other Latin American countries —such as Chile, Argentina, Panama and Honduras— showed their rejection of exclusion, but indicated that they would participate.