Overall support for Maduro’s victory in Venezuela election

Venezuela :  A few days after Sunday’s presidential elections in Venezuela, Latin American and Caribbean foreign ministers have expressed their support for the successful candidate, Nicolas Maduro.



At a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Uruguayan representative read a statement on behalf of the Mercosur member countries, congratulating president-elect Maduro on his recent victory, and commended the high participation by Venezuelan people in the voting process.



Mercosur member countries noted that democratic principles and transparency were visible during the whole process. These Latin American governments invited Maduro to further lead his country’s integration in the Mercosur trade bloc.



The Argentinean representative joined the previous speakers and congratulated Maduro on behalf of his government, while noting the democratic process throughout the elections: “Once again the people of Venezuela ratified the electoral path as peaceful means to make the changes initiated by the Bolivarian leader Hugo Chavez. The Republic of Argentina celebrates the vision of President Hugo Chavez to build a united Latin America, one great nation whose objectives are the economic, social and political development of its people."



The permanent representatives of Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic also expressed their support for Maduro.



Maduro’s election victory will give him an opportunity to continue on the same road map established by Hugo Chavez 14 years ago in strengthening his nation’s bilateral relations with regional countries and leaders that have been faithful allies of Chavez.



However, according to former Costa Rican ambassador Jaime Daremblum, this undermines the democratic standards of the government in Caracas, which he described as “An oil-rich government with near dictatorial powers [that has] used all of its vast institutional machinery to promote Maduro, slander Capriles, and guarantee a victory for the ruling party.”